Poland Revokes Top Honor from Zelenskyy Over UPA Naming Dispute

Poland's President Karol Nawrocki announced on June 19 that he would revoke the Order of the White Eagle from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This decision stems from Ukraine's refusal to alter its position regarding the naming of a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). The move follows a recommendation from the order's chapter meeting on June 8, though the specifics of that recommendation were not disclosed.

Sources within the Presidential Palace indicated that Ukraine was given ample time to change its approach, but showed no willingness to do so. This delay was reportedly calculated by Ukraine to allow President Zelenskyy to demonstrate to his citizens that he requires time for deliberation rather than immediately reacting to Polish actions. However, Ukrainian reactions were firm. The day after Nawrocki's decision, Zelenskyy announced via social media that he was returning the Order of the White Eagle via courier, bypassing the embassy. Three former Ukrainian presidents, Leonid Kuchma, Viktor Yushchenko, and Petro Poroshenko, also announced similar actions.

Recent interactions between Poland and Ukraine have been tense. Kyrylo Budanov, a close associate of President Zelenskyy, visited Poland recently, with unofficial and official statements suggesting the visit was strained and did not lead to a shift in either side's stance. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk revealed Zelenskyy's perspective during a press conference in Brussels, stating that the Ukrainian president claimed he had "no intention whatsoever" of jeopardizing Polish-Ukrainian relations with his decision. This sentiment was echoed unofficially, with the Ukrainian side reportedly conveying that the naming of the military unit after the UPA was not intended as an anti-Polish action.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha officially responded to Nawrocki's decision, labeling it a "strategic mistake" that would only benefit Moscow, and also returned his Polish distinction, the Commander's Cross with Star. Reports suggest that unofficial proposals were made from the Polish side to de-escalate the crisis, potentially involving figures like Aleksander Kwaśniewski, but these did not elicit a response from Ukraine. In an official statement, Polish minister Marcin Przydacz confirmed that diplomatic talks had been ongoing, stating that President Zelenskyy had "full opportunity to withdraw from his bad decision" and that Poland had been "open" to the dialogue requested by the Ukrainian side. The article suggests Ukraine was not actively seeking a resolution.

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Prezydent Wołodymyr Zełenski miał pełnię możliwości wycofania się ze swojej złej decyzji. W ostatnich tygodniach prowadzony był aktywny dialog z Kijowem. O taki dialog i czas wnosiła strona ukraińska. Spotkało się to z naszą otwartością