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Ex-PM Miller slams Zelenskyy's 'arrogant' UPA honor for Ukraine unit
๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ Poland /Conflict & Security

Ex-PM Miller slams Zelenskyy's 'arrogant' UPA honor for Ukraine unit

From Rzeczpospolita · () Polish

Translated from Polish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Former Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller strongly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to grant an elite military unit the honorary title "Heroes of the UPA."
  • Miller called Zelenskyy's decision an act of "unprecedented arrogance" and a sign of contempt for Polish sentiments, particularly regarding the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).
  • The decision has sparked controversy in Poland, with officials protesting and some calling for Zelenskyy to be stripped of Poland's highest honor, the Order of the White Eagle.

Former Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller has sharply condemned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to bestow the honorary title "Heroes of the UPA" upon an elite Ukrainian military unit. Miller described the move as an act of "unprecedented arrogance" and a profound insult to Polish feelings, particularly given the historical context of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).

Finally, an important Polish politician has done what he should have done. That is, to unequivocally condemn the decision of Mr. President Zelenskyy, which is in fact an expression of unprecedented arrogance and arrogance.

โ€” Leszek MillerFormer Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller commenting on Polish President Karol Nawrocki's stance.

Speaking to Polsat News, Miller stated that he fully supported Polish President Karol Nawrocki's call to potentially revoke Zelenskyy's Order of the White Eagle. "Finally, an important Polish politician has done what he should have done," Miller said, referring to Nawrocki's condemnation of Zelenskyy's decision. He characterized the Ukrainian president's action as demonstrating "complete contempt for our Polish feelings."

The decision to honor the unit with the name of the UPA, which is associated with wartime atrocities against Poles, has ignited a fierce debate in Poland. The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has lodged a formal protest, and Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Bosacki met with the Ukrainian ambassador. The ministry and Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiล„ski deemed the move a mistake that harms the memory of victims and damages Polish-Ukrainian relations.

Zelenskyy, by granting the title or rather by deciding to grant an important elite military unit the name of the heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. He thereby expresses complete contempt for our Polish feelings.

โ€” Leszek MillerLeszek Miller explaining his view on the significance of the UPA naming.

Miller further alleged the existence of a "Banderite fifth column" within Poland, which he claims obstructs any discussion of the truth about events in Ukraine. He specifically named Paweล‚ Kowal, chairman of the Polish Sejm's Foreign Affairs Committee, as a leading figure in this alleged group. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that the naming was not directed against Poles and that atrocities committed by both Ukrainian and Polish soldiers during World War II cannot be denied.

There is even a 'Banderite fifth column' in Poland, which torpedoes any action that approaches the truth about what is happening in Ukraine.

โ€” Leszek MillerLeszek Miller alleging the existence of a pro-Ukrainian lobby hindering truthful discussion.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Rzeczpospolita in Polish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.