Tusk urges Poland, Ukraine to end 'order war' over honors

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has appealed for an end to a growing dispute between Poland and Ukraine over state honors, warning that political maneuvering on the conflict is a "strategic mistake" that will harm both nations.

The controversy, dubbed an "order war," erupted after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy honored a military unit named after a controversial Ukrainian nationalist figure. In response, Polish President Andrzej Duda revoked the Order of the White Eagle, Poland's highest state decoration, which had been awarded to Zelenskyy.

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Playing politicians in Poland and Ukraine on the map of conflict is a strategic mistake, with both sides losing: economically, geopolitically, and in terms of their image.

Tusk stated that he is working with European partners to minimize the fallout from the leaders' actions, which he believes are damaging to both countries economically, geopolitically, and in terms of their image. He emphasized that in politics, a mistake is worse than a crime.

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In politics, a mistake is worse than a crime.

The dispute has roots in historical grievances, particularly the 1943-1944 Volhynia massacres, where Ukrainian nationalist militias are accused of killing around 100,000 Polish civilians. Polish nationalist groups and their supporters back President Duda's decision, highlighting Poland's sensitivity to this dark chapter of shared history.

Zelenskyy retaliated by returning the order via courier, arguing it was awarded to the Ukrainian people fighting for Poland's security against Russia, not to individuals. Several former Ukrainian presidents and officials have also returned their Polish state decorations in solidarity.

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I am shocked by such a brutal provocation of incidents regarding Volhynia and that graves several decades old are being dug up at this moment.