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Polish ministers condemn president's decision to revoke award to Zelenskyy
๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡น Lithuania /Elections & Politics

Polish ministers condemn president's decision to revoke award to Zelenskyy

From Delfi · () Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Polish ministers criticized President Andrzej Duda's decision to revoke the Order of the White Eagle awarded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
  • Ministers warned the decision would harm Poland's international reputation and negatively impact economic ties, particularly concerning Ukraine's reconstruction.
  • They argued the move benefits Russia by escalating tensions between allies during Ukraine's fight against Russian invasion.

Several Polish ministers have strongly condemned President Andrzej Duda's decision to revoke the Order of the White Eagle, previously awarded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This move, prompted by Zelenskyy's decision to grant a military unit the name of the World War II-era Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), an organization responsible for the Volhynia massacres of ethnic Poles, has ignited a diplomatic dispute.

I believe this decision is a very serious mistake by the president. It weakens Poland's international position.

โ€” Krzysztof GawkowskiCriticizing President Duda's decision to revoke the award.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Wล‚adysล‚aw Kosiniak-Kamysz echoed these concerns, writing on X that relations with Ukraine are heading "in a very bad direction." He added that "escalation of tension between allies only benefits the enemy." The ministers fear this diplomatic spat casts a shadow over the upcoming Gdansk conference, which aims to showcase Poland's economic potential and secure a leading role for Polish companies in Ukraine's reconstruction.

"I believe this decision is a very serious mistake by the president. It weakens Poland's international position," stated Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski. He questioned how Poland could explain this decision to international partners, especially while Ukraine is fighting Russian invaders. "This is a decision that benefits Russia," Gawkowski asserted.

Will be very difficult to explain to our partners around the world why at such a crucial time, when Ukraine is fighting invaders from Russia, this award is being withdrawn. This is a decision that benefits Russia.

โ€” Krzysztof GawkowskiExplaining the negative implications of the decision for international relations.

The Order of the White Eagle was initially awarded to Zelenskyy in April 2023 by former Polish President Andrzej Duda for his contributions to deepening Polish-Ukrainian relations, promoting democracy, and defending human rights. The revocation and subsequent diplomatic fallout have created significant friction between the two allied nations.

escalation of tension between allies only benefits the enemy.

โ€” Wล‚adysล‚aw Kosiniak-KamyszCommenting on the worsening relations between Poland and Ukraine.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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