This is an article accompanying my song Ukraina. Listen here.
Over three years ago, on February 24, 2022, together with the world I watched in shock as Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, shattering the fragile peace that held in Europe. For me, and many other Polish people, that act of aggression was not merely a geopolitical event. Ukraine is not just a country east of our border; its people are our sisters and brothers, bound by shared history, culture, and aspirations. It was, and still is, a personal strike that I felt even thousands of kilometres away in my London flat.
No historical, political and territorial relationship is ever straightforward and Poland and Ukraine are no exception. The relationship between us is complex, marked by both unity and turmoil. A portion of modern Ukraine was a part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and territorial arguments can still be occasionally heard. Historical events, such as the Volhynia massacre during World War II, have left deep scars. These events have occasionally resurfaced, straining relations even in recent times. However, the ongoing threat from Russia has served as a unifying force, compelling both of our nations to look beyond past grievances and stand together against a common adversary.
Language, too, plays a role in this solidarity. The insistence on using "Kyiv" instead of "Kiev" is more than a linguistic preference; it is a recognition of Ukraine's sovereignty and cultural identity. "Kyiv" reflects the Ukrainian pronunciation, while "Kiev" is rooted in Russian transliteration. This seemingly small distinction carries significant weight, symbolising respect for Ukraine's autonomy and a rejection of imperialist narratives.
The ongoing conflict, among other issues, also adds to the discussions about the formation of a European army and the potential for Ukraine's membership in the European Union. Poland, having experienced the perils of foreign powers dictating its borders—most notably during and after World War II—is acutely aware of the importance of self-determination and security. Supporting Ukraine's aspirations to join the EU and strengthening collective defence mechanisms are essential steps toward ensuring lasting peace and stability in the region. European Union should be an organisation that is an inclusive, not an exclusive one.
I sometimes waste my time trying to understand why evil people do evil things. I even talk to others about it. However, as much as understanding the motives of others can be a futile endeavour, I do believe that recognising signs of a potential threat can save lives in the future. Vladimir Putin's aggression towards Ukraine can be seen as a personal vendetta against a nation that dared to overthrow its old regime and pursue a democratic path. Ukraine's 2014 Revolution of Dignity, which led to the ousting of a pro-Russian president, was a clear assertion of the country's desire to align with Western values and governance. This move was perceived as a direct challenge to Putin's vision of a Russian sphere of influence, prompting a response aimed at reasserting control.
All of this reflection has been brought up by rediscovering a song I wrote on 2 March 2022 and how struck I was by its enduring relevance. The lyrics, written in the early days of the invasion, still resonate with me today:
Ignorance kills, don’t stand idly by
When blood waters our fields
I will be there to see you again
To fight for better days
Listen to the song here
Even as the war continues, the resilience of the Ukrainian people remains unshaken. What was meant to be a swift conquest has become a test of endurance, with Kyiv still standing. The sheer audacity of Russia’s expansionist drive is hard to believe. The largest country in the world, stretching across eleven time zones, still thirsts for more land, more control, as though its vastness is not enough. And yet, it is not land that drives this war—it is power. It is the desire to erase Ukraine’s independence, to rewrite history, to drag a sovereign nation back under the shadow of the Kremlin.
Poland understands this challenge all too well. We have known what it is like to have our borders drawn and redrawn by foreign hands. To be told we do not exist, to be carved up and erased from the map, as happened during the partitions of the 18th century and again in the devastation of World War II. Ukraine's struggle is a painful echo of our own past, but it is also a reminder that survival is possible. Resistance, no matter how outmatched it may seem, can reshape the course of history.
Europe, too, is being tested. The European Union has responded with aid, sanctions, and unwavering support, but the war has laid bare a crucial question: Can the continent truly defend itself? The need for a European army has never been more pressing. NATO remains the backbone of Western defence, but reliance on the United States carries its own dangers and uncertainties, especially given its current head of state. A unified European force—one that can deter threats without waiting on the shifting tides of American politics—could redefine the balance of power. And Ukraine, proving itself on the battlefield and on the international stage through its president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, should not only be defended but welcomed. Its future belongs in the European Union, not as a buffer state, but as an equal partner.
Still, as I write, as I revisit the lyrics I wrote nearly three years ago, I feel the weight of time. I wrote my song in the raw, urgent, panicked days after the invasion began, believing—perhaps naively—that the world’s outcry would be enough to bring this horror to a timely end. Yet here we are. Three years on, the war still raging. Cities still bombed. Families still torn apart. And Ukraine still stands, bloodied, shaken, burning, but unbroken.
Ukraina, don’t fear solitude
The world’s an open door
Easy to say from the safety of my home
Your country will stay yours
Ukraine, you are not alone. The world may grow weary of war, and other conflicts may pull attention, but those of us who share a history with this region cannot afford to look away. We cannot let fatigue turn into indifference. Nor can we let foreign power dictate your future without you.
Stay strong.
How to Help
For those looking to support Ukraine, here are three organisations making a direct impact:
Come Back Alive – Provides critical supplies and training to Ukraine’s military forces.
United24 – The official fundraising platform of Ukraine, supporting defence, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction.
Razom for Ukraine – A grassroots organisation providing emergency response, medical aid, and advocacy. Donate here
Thank you for reading and, once again, give my song a chance and listen here.
If you’re a music producer or a composer and would like to help me improve it, please get in touch.