Anti-Ukrainian wave after Nawrocki's decision could cost us dearly. And literally.

Karol Nawrocki's decision to revoke the Order of the White Eagle from Volodymyr Zelenskyy has significantly inflamed historical disputes between Poland and Ukraine, leading to an unexpected escalation on both sides of the border. This move, intended to address the commemoration of UPA victims in Volhynia, has instead unified Ukrainian elites against Poland.

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They all agreed that Nawrocki did not revoke the order from an individual, but made a gesture towards the Ukrainian state and society, which Zelenskyy represents.

In a strong show of solidarity, three former Ukrainian presidents – Leonid Kuchma, Viktor Yushchenko, and Petro Poroshenko – returned their own Orders of the White Eagle. They, along with other high-ranking officials like the Head of the Presidential Office, his deputy, the Foreign Minister, and the ambassador to Poland, sent back the decorations awarded by Polish President Andrzej Duda. Even Kuchma, a former communist party official and son of a Red Army sergeant, joined the protest, underscoring that the decision was perceived not as an individual act against Zelenskyy, but as an affront to the Ukrainian state and society he represents.

The author contends that Nawrocki's action, rather than facilitating investigations into UPA victims or curbing the glorification of the UPA in Ukraine, has proven counterproductive in the short term. The unified response from Ukrainian leadership suggests that Nawrocki's move has hindered rather than helped efforts to resolve historical grievances and improve relations. This is particularly concerning given Ukraine's ongoing fight against Russia and the potential for future cooperation.

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If Nawrocki wanted to do something for the memory of Polish victims, his move was counterproductive in the short term.

In Poland, Nawrocki's decision has been met with enthusiasm by nationalists and xenophobes, creating a deeply concerning atmosphere. Online, calls for expelling Ukrainians from Poland have emerged, with some politicians and parties advocating for such measures. The author draws a parallel to the pogroms of 1941, highlighting the dangerous escalation of anti-Ukrainian sentiment. Nawrocki is held responsible for exacerbating these sentiments, which are not only morally reprehensible but also detrimental to Poland's security and its future relationship with Ukraine, a nation with a significant military presence in the region.

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Pogrom sentiments have taken hold in the Polish internet... demands to expel all Ukrainians from Poland are appearing not only from anonymous accounts but also from politicians.