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🇫🇷 France /Culture & Society

Poland revokes top state honor from Zelensky over WWII unit naming

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Poland's President Karol Nawrocki has revoked the country's highest honor, the Order of the White Eagle, from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
  • The decision stems from Zelensky's decision to name a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), which is blamed for the deaths of over 100,000 Poles during World War II.
  • Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriï Sybiga called the move a "strategic error" and "disdainful," potentially harming bilateral relations.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced on Friday that he is revoking the nation's highest honor, the Order of the White Eagle, from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This highly symbolic decision comes amid tensions related to shared history and could damage bilateral relations, particularly given Warsaw's strong support for Kyiv since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

For the overwhelming majority of Polish society, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) remains above all a formation responsible for brutal crimes committed against citizens of the Republic of Poland during World War II.

— Karol NawrockiPolish President explains the reasoning behind revoking the Order of the White Eagle from President Zelensky.

The revocation follows Zelensky's late May decision to name a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). This organization is held responsible in Poland for the brutal killing of over 100,000 Poles during World War II. Nawrocki expressed his "indignation" over the naming, stating that for the "overwhelming majority of Polish society, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) remains above all a formation responsible for brutal crimes committed against citizens of the Republic of Poland during World War II."

Kyiv reacted swiftly, with Foreign Minister Andriï Sybiga denouncing the decision as a "strategic error" and "disdainful." The move risks undermining the strong military and humanitarian support Poland has provided to Ukraine. The award of the decoration to Zelensky in April 2023 was seen as a powerful symbol of solidarity between the two nations.

strategic error

— Andriï SybigaUkrainian Foreign Minister's reaction to Poland's decision.

Nawrocki, who has been critical of Kyiv even before taking office in 2025, has previously expressed opposition to Ukraine's NATO and EU accession. He also blocked legislation extending special aid to Ukrainian refugees in Poland and has not visited Kyiv despite invitations. Ukraine maintains that the naming of the military unit was not intended as an insult to Poland, emphasizing the UPA's role in fighting for Ukrainian independence against the Red Army, though acknowledging its complex history, including clashes with Polish resistance and collaboration with the Nazis at times.

disdainful

— Andriï SybigaUkrainian Foreign Minister's reaction to Poland's decision.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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