Two Demonstrations Set to Coincide with URC Opening Day in Gdańsk
As Gdańsk prepares to host the two-day Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 beginning June 25, the city's historic center and Solidarity Square are also set to become the backdrop for two separate protest actions. Both demonstrations were announced in direct response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to award the honorary title "Heroes of the UPA" to a Special Operations Forces unit, a move that has sharpened existing tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv over historical memory.
Morning Protest at the Fish Market
The first demonstration is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. at the Fish Market in Gdańsk's historic center. It is organized by the "Poland Unites Us" Foundation, led by Natalia Nitek-Plaszyńska, a member of the Pomeranian Voivodeship Sejmik. The foundation's stated position is that international support for Ukraine should not, in their view, extend to endorsing a military identity built around references to the OUN-UPA. Organizers are calling on the Polish government to adopt a firmer diplomatic posture toward Kyiv on this issue.
Evening Rally at Solidarity Square
A second protest, under the slogan "Gdańsk Against Banderaism," is planned for 6:00 p.m. at Solidarity Square. This event is organized by Dominik Migawski of the far-right "Confederation of the Polish Crown" party. His stated aim is to express opposition both to the URC being held in Gdańsk and to what he describes as the institutional glorification of the OUN-UPA by Ukrainian authorities.
The Conference Itself
The Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 is a two-day international event designed to serve as a key platform for mobilizing investment and coordinating support for Ukraine's post-war reconstruction. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, speaking ahead of the opening, expressed hope that the conference would help ease the escalating diplomatic friction between Warsaw and Kyiv. The URC is one of the more significant international gatherings Poland has hosted in recent years, drawing attention to Gdańsk as a venue for high-stakes diplomacy.
Why It Matters for Hosts
Independent accommodation and hospitality operators in Gdańsk should anticipate elevated foot traffic and potential disruptions in the historic center and around Solidarity Square on June 25, particularly during the morning and early evening hours. Guests attending the URC or visiting the city that day may encounter road closures, crowd congestion, or altered public transport routes near both protest sites. Proactively communicating local conditions to arriving guests, adjusting check-in logistics if needed, and keeping an eye on city authority announcements will help ensure a smooth experience during what is likely to be an unusually busy and politically charged day in the city center.
Details were first reported by UA.NEWS, citing Polsat News as the original source.
First reported by ua.news.