Poland's President Revokes Order of the White Eagle from Zelenskyy

Poland's President Andrzej Duda has decided to revoke the prestigious Order of the White Eagle from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The move comes after Ukraine named a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a decision that has sparked significant controversy between the two nations.

While many in Ukraine view the UPA, active in the 1940s and 1950s, as national heroes, Poland holds a vastly different perspective. The Polish president condemned the naming, describing it as a "glorification of criminals and murderers." This stems from the widespread accusation that the UPA was responsible for the genocide of Poles in Volhynia between 1943 and 1945.

The decision to strip Zelenskyy of the honor underscores the deep historical grievances and differing interpretations of World War II-era events that continue to strain relations between Poland and Ukraine. The Order of the White Eagle, Poland's highest distinction, is typically awarded for significant contributions to the country or for outstanding achievements by foreign nationals.

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glorification of criminals and murderers