There are no anti-Polish sentiments in Ukraine despite different views on complex historical past - Foreign Ministry

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has commented on the statements of Foreign Minister of Poland Witold Waszczykowski concerning the toughening of rules of crossing the Ukrainian-Polish border by the anti-Polish minded Ukrainians.

"We would like to emphasize that there are no anti-Polish sentiments in Ukraine. Most Ukrainians are absolutely positive about Poland, despite the difference in assessments of a complex historical past. The Ukrainian society has a clear understanding of the need to further strengthen cooperation with Poland, both for the benefit of the two peoples and for the whole Europe, which is confirmed by hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians who now live in Poland," the press service of the Foreign Ministry said in a statement released on Friday night.

The information says that at proper time Kyiv and Warsaw gained an understanding that historical reconciliation is possible on the European Christian principle "Forgive and beg forgiveness." The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry is convinced that Ukraine and Poland should go to reconciliation through mutual perception of each other, rather than imposing its own point of view. "This principle was proposed to the Polish side to be implemented in practice by signing and implementing of an appropriate roadmap, but we still expect an answer," the diplomats said.

Also, the Ministry noted the importance of the Ukrainian-Polish strategic partnership.

"Ukraine is open to cooperation, including with historical problems. And we are sure that we are both interested in this, understanding the mutual importance of the Ukrainian-Polish strategic partnership," the foreign policy department said.

As reported, Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski said that his country was beginning to implement procedures aimed at preventing people from Ukraine, possessing extremely anti-Polish views, enter Poland.