Polish-Ukrainian Tensions Rise Over Historical Dispute

Poland has decided to withdraw its highest honor from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This move follows Zelensky’s approval of renaming a Ukrainian military unit to honor the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). The UPA is known for massacring tens of thousands of Poles during World War II.

This decision might benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has tried to depict Zelensky and Ukraine as Nazis. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andriy Sybiha, criticized the decision. He branded it “a strategic mistake” that “only Moscow benefits” from.

The issue risks sparking a broader diplomatic conflict between Poland and Ukraine. These countries have been allies since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The timing coincides with a conference on Ukraine’s reconstruction in Poland.

World War II Dispute: Ukraine and Poland

Warsaw has supported Kyiv, standing together against Moscow. Yet, relations have been complex due to issues like refugees and grain imports. The World War II massacre legacy also affects Polish-Ukrainian relations.

“In light of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s consent to name one of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine ‘Heroes of the UPA,’… I have decided to revoke the Order of the White Eagle from the President of Ukraine,” said Polish President Karol Nawrocki.

Nawrocki clarified, “this decision is not directed against the Ukrainian people. It does not signify a change in the strategic direction of Polish security policy.”

Sybiha responded on Facebook, expressing regret over the escalation of the conflict.

The UPA’s Controversial History

In Ukraine, the UPA is celebrated for resisting Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. For many, they symbolize Ukraine’s independence struggle against Moscow. However, the UPA was involved in the Volhynia massacre, which killed up to 100,000 Polish civilians.

Kviv’s recent decision to honor a military unit with the UPA name has outraged many in Poland. A survey by SW Research revealed that 51.9% of Poles now hold a worse opinion of Ukraine and Zelensky.

The Order of the White Eagle had been awarded to Zelensky in 2023 by former president Andrzej Duda. It recognized his efforts in bilateral relations and promoting democracy, peace, and security in Europe.

Putin’s Campaign Against Ukraine

Putin has aimed to depict Ukraine and Zelensky as Nazis since Russia’s 2022 invasion. He has used language evoking the Holocaust in his narratives. During a TV address on February 24, he asserted that the invasion aimed to “demilitarize and denazify Ukraine” and protect people from the “Kyiv regime.” He labeled Ukraine’s leaders as “far-right nationalists and neo-Nazis.”

This rhetoric taps into Soviet narratives about World War II, framing Nazism as a threat to Soviet identity. Research from RAND in 2025 noted Russian dissemination of extremist narratives online, including the “Nazi Ukraine trope,” especially in Russian-language spaces.

Ukraine has dealt with antisemitism and has some modern far-right groups. However, they hold little political influence. The fallout of this dispute risks reinforcing Russian narratives about Ukraine at a time when it heavily relies on Western support.