Poland bans Lviv deputy Sviatoslav Sheremeta from Schengen for five years
Poland imposed a five-year Schengen entry and stay ban on Sviatoslav Sheremeta, a deputy of the Lviv Oblast Council and director of the “Dolya” memorial-search center. The measure followed his role in the council’s decision to designate 2027 as the year of Roman Shukhevych, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, and Oleh Olzhych. The ban was announced on October 21 and runs until October 20, 2031.
Key points
- The ban applies to all Schengen countries and runs until October 20, 2031.
- Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński announced the decision on October 21.
- The measure followed a request by Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski.
- Sheremeta is a Lviv Oblast Council deputy and director of the “Dolya” memorial-search center.
- The council voted on October 20 to designate 2027 as the year of Roman Shukhevych, the UPA, and Oleh Olzhych.
- Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry called the decision counterproductive and urged Poland to refrain from drastic steps.
- Ukrainian media reported, citing a government source, that Poland suspended a military aid package, but Polish confirmation is not reflected in the supplied facts.
- Sheremeta conducted exhumation work in Lasków, Poland, where preliminary estimates indicated the remains of more than 40 people.
Why it matters
The ban is a significant escalation in a diplomatic dispute between Poland and Ukraine over historical memory and commemoration. It also affects a Ukrainian official involved in cross-border memorial work, including investigations and exhumations connected with the Volhynia tragedy.
What happened
On October 21, Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński announced that Sviatoslav Sheremeta had been added to the register of undesirable persons and barred from entering and staying in Schengen countries until October 20, 2031. The action was taken at the request of Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski. Sheremeta had initiated the Lviv Oblast Council’s October 20 decision to designate 2027 as the year of Roman Shukhevych, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, and Oleh Olzhych.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian coverage emphasizes that the ban targets a Ukrainian regional official following Poland’s response to a domestic commemoration decision. Ukrainian sources also highlighted alleged suspension of a Polish military aid package, although that claim remains disputed in the supplied material. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry distanced itself from the council’s decision and warned that it could harm bilateral relations.
How international sources describe it
The Polish government framed the Lviv council’s decision as damaging to Ukraine and Poland’s relations, while Ukrainian officials described the entry ban as an excessive response to a regional decision. The dispute also concerns cooperation between the two countries on commemorating Ukrainian victims of mass violence.
Where reporting differs
Ukrainian media reported, citing a source in the Ukrainian government, that Poland suspended a military aid package because of the Lviv council’s decision. The claim is presented as disputed in the supplied material, and no Polish official confirmation is reflected there.
Background
The council’s decision commemorated the 120th anniversary of Roman Shukhevych’s birth, the 85th anniversary of the UPA’s founding, and the 120th anniversary of Oleh Olzhych’s birth. The announcement was later removed from the council’s social media accounts and official website. Sheremeta has also led search and exhumation work at sites of Ukrainian mass killings in Poland; preliminary findings in Lasków indicated the remains of more than 40 people.