During a conversation with Ukrainian Pravda, Oleksandr Alfiyev, director of the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, addressed his recent visit to Poland where he accompanied President Volodymyr Zelensky for discussions with Karol Nawrocki. Alfiyev pointed out that the Polish president places significant emphasis on the Volhynia tragedy, which has become a focal point in the political discourse surrounding Ukrainian-Polish relations. He expressed skepticism about whether this painful topic could transition from the realm of political debate to a more academic discussion, suggesting that it remains deeply entrenched in the emotional landscape of Polish national identity.

Alfiyev characterized the Volhynia tragedy as a "state myth" for Poland, suggesting that it is not merely a legend or narrative, but central to Poland's national storytelling. He indicated that Poles perceive this tragic event not through statistical analysis but rather as an emotional wound. The implication is that differing perspectives on historical grievances complicate modern diplomatic relations, as emotional responses to past atrocities often outweigh factual reconstructions of events.

Moreover, Alfiyev contrasted the Polish perspective on national trauma with Ukrainian sentiments regarding the Holodomor, a horrific famine that claimed millions of lives in Ukraine. He pointed out the variations in estimates of those who perished during the Holodomor, highlighting how such historical narratives are often subject to personal and national interpretation. This highlights the challenges both nations face in reconciling their historical narratives while navigating present diplomatic relations, as differing perceptions of shared history continue to provoke tension.