Zelenskyy Returns Poland’s Highest State Honor Amid Tensions

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy has returned Poland’s highest state honor after the Polish president stripped him of the award. This act follows a politically charged dispute over World War II history.

Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainians saw the order as recognition for the Ukrainian people and their army. “Today, I sent the Order back to the President of Poland,” Zelenskyy mentioned in a social media post. He expressed confidence that the future would acknowledge the respect Ukrainians deserve.

The message on social media was accompanied by images of the Polish order and a postal receipt indicating it was being sent to the Polish presidential office.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki took the decision to revoke Zelenskyy’s Order of the White Eagle after Zelenskyy named a military unit after a controversial Ukrainian paramilitary group. This organization, accused of committing massacres against Poles during WWII, has strained historical relations between the two nations.

Former President Andrzej Duda had awarded Zelenskyy the order in 2023 for his contributions to security and human rights. However, Zelenskyy’s May decree, honoring the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, sparked criticism in Poland. The Ukrainian group has been implicated in wartime atrocities against Polish citizens.

Nawrocki addressed the issue on social media, emphasizing that the Ukrainian Insurgent Army is perceived by many in Poland as responsible for cruel acts during WWII.

Poland has supported Ukraine significantly during its ongoing conflict with Russia. Despite this, Nawrocki’s nationalist stance has fueled anti-Ukrainian sentiment, affecting Ukrainians living in Poland.

Nawrocki insisted that Poland’s support for Ukraine would remain unchanged despite the revocation of the honor. In response, Zelenskyy expressed Ukraine’s gratitude for Poland’s help and willingness to address historical tensions. He praised the Ukrainian people’s resilience and the dedication of every Ukrainian warrior.

Ukrainian Presidential Office chief Kyrylo Budanov criticized Nawrocki’s action as an unfriendly gesture, suggesting it played into Russia’s hands. Four other Ukrainian officials announced plans to return Polish honors they had received. Among them, former Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk cautioned against making hasty decisions in retaliation.

Next week, Poland is set to host a crucial event focused on Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction. Originally, Zelenskyy was expected to attend. Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk advised both sides to de-escalate tensions, warning that their disagreement benefits adversaries like Putin.

Zelenskyy’s controversial decree aimed to restore military traditions and honor the unit’s efforts in defending Ukraine. The UPA had fought for Ukrainian independence during WWII but faced accusations of violent actions against Poles.

In 2016, Poland formally recognized the crimes attributed to the UPA as genocide. Ukrainians argue that both Polish and Ukrainian forces were involved in conflicts causing civilian casualties. Recently, Poland and Ukraine had made progress on the exhumation of Polish victims, showing some movement toward resolving historical issues.