Ukraine Establishes Controversial National Pantheon Amid War and Historical Disputes

Ukraine has passed a law to create a national memorial called the 'Pantheon' in Kyiv, honoring outstanding figures from Ukrainian history, including controversial nationalist fighters. The law was approved by 287 deputies in a second reading. President Volodymyr Zelensky called the bill urgent and thanked parliament, promising to sign it immediately. The Pantheon will honor figures from the Kyivan Rus period and serve as a burial site for Ukrainian presidents. The decision has sparked tensions with Poland and Israel, as it includes honoring members of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), who were responsible for massacres of Poles and Jews during WWII. Recently, Ukraine reburied Andriy Melnyk, a leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, in a state funeral attended by Zelensky and other officials. Yad Vashem expressed deep concern. Poland had previously withdrawn the Order of the White Eagle from Zelensky after he awarded the title 'Hero of the UPA' to a military unit in May. Germany has not taken a position on the dispute. Russia has used the pretext of 'denazification' for its ongoing war against Ukraine since 2022.