Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy has returned Poland’s highest state honor after the Polish president stripped him of the award due to a politically charged dispute over World War II history. Zelenskyy stated in a social media post that Ukrainians considered the honor suited for the Ukrainian people and their army. He expressed confidence that future events would validate the respect Ukrainians deserve.
The post on social media included images of the Polish order and a receipt showing it was set to be sent to the Polish presidential office. Polish President Karol Nawrocki had revoked Zelenskyy’s Order of the White Eagle following Zelenskyy’s decision to name a military unit after a Ukrainian paramilitary group accused of massacring Poles during WWII.
Former Polish President Andrzej Duda presented the award to Zelenskyy in 2023 for contributions to security, resilience, and human rights defense. However, Zelenskyy’s recent decree naming a unit of Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) sparked controversy. The UPA has a history of accusations in Poland for mass killings in the 1940s and 1950s.
In a detailed 13-minute social media address, President Nawrocki emphasized that many in Poland view the UPA as primarily responsible for heinous crimes against Polish citizens during World War II. This decree brought criticism in Poland, a nation hosting millions of Ukrainian refugees and a significant supporter of Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
Despite the backlash, Nawrocki, known for leveraging nationalistic sentiments, maintained that stripping the honor did not alter Poland’s commitment to supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Poland’s support and openness to reconcile historical disagreements.
Ukrainian Presidential Office chief Kyrylo Budanov criticized Nawrocki’s decision as an unfriendly act and a potential boon for Moscow, which could use the situation to its advantage. A few Ukrainian officials, including Budanov, indicated plans to return Polish state honors.
The return of honors spurred debate within Ukraine. Former Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk argued that one misjudgment by the current Polish president should not trigger further mistakes from Ukraine. Tensions have heightened as Poland is set to host a significant Ukraine postwar reconstruction event, which Zelenskyy plans to attend.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Nawrocki’s political rival, urged moderation and peace, noting that the discord benefits adversaries and alarms allies. Zelenskyy’s May decree aimed to acknowledge military traditions and commend the unit’s role in defending Ukraine’s sovereignty. The UPA fought for independence against Nazi Germany and Soviet forces but faced accusations of atrocities against Poles in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia.
In 2016, the Polish Parliament declared these acts of UPA as genocide. Conflicting narratives exist, as Ukrainians argue that armed groups on both sides were involved in violence, resulting in significant casualties among Poles and Ukrainians. However, recent discussions between the nations have shown signs of progress on historical reconciliation.