Zelenskyy returns Polish honor, offers dialogue on historical disputes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on June 20, 2026, that he has returned Poland's highest merit award, the Order of the White Eagle. The award was previously withdrawn by Polish President Karol Nawrocki amid a diplomatic crisis between the two nations.

In a social media post, Zelenskyy stated he would not debate Nawrocki on whether other recipients, such as Catherine the Great or Benito Mussolini, align with the award's values. He conveyed his gratitude to the Polish people for their crucial support in Ukraine's struggle for independence from Russia, emphasizing that Ukraine "never forgets solidarity."

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Today I sent the Order back to the President of Poland.

"Ukraine will remain open to all meaningful formats of dialogue with Poland," Zelenskyy declared, aiming to "avoid contradictory interpretations of the difficult and painful chapters of our shared past and to ensure adequate respect for all innocent victims of the 20th century." This offer of dialogue comes as several Ukrainian officials also announced the return of decorations received from Poland in protest.

The diplomatic rift intensified last month when Kyiv named an elite military unit "Heroes of the UPA." This designation refers to a nationalist militia responsible for the massacre of Polish civilians during World War II, an event that caused significant indignation in Poland. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has attempted mediation, criticizing the situation for benefiting the Kremlin and urging both presidents to de-escalate tensions rather than fuel them.

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Ukraine will remain open to all meaningful formats of dialogue with Poland, to try to avoid contradictory interpretations of the difficult and painful chapters of our shared past and to ensure adequate respect for all innocent victims of the 20th century.