President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, announced on June 19 that he has stripped Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle. This decision comes in response to Zelensky’s decree naming a Ukrainian military unit after the “Heroes of the UPA,” a move that has sparked controversy due to the historical context surrounding the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).
Nawrocki emphasized that for many in Poland, the UPA is associated with severe crimes committed against Polish citizens during World War II. As the Grand Master of the Order of the White Eagle, Nawrocki stated it is his duty to uphold the honor of this prestigious Polish award.
“Given President Zelensky’s approval to name a unit of the Ukrainian Armed Forces after the UPA heroes, and after consultations with the Chapter, I have decided to revoke President Zelensky’s Order of the White Eagle,” Nawrocki said.
The Polish president clarified that his decision is not an affront to the Ukrainian people, nor does it indicate a shift in Poland’s strategic security policy. He reiterated Poland’s ongoing support for Ukraine, highlighting the threat posed by Russian aggression to both Poland and Europe.
“Russia is the aggressor, and Putin is a criminal responsible for the war that has brought the greatest armed conflict to Europe since World War II,” Nawrocki added.
He urged Kyiv to remember that conflicts between Poles and Ukrainians only serve the interests of the Kremlin. Zelensky has yet to publicly respond to Nawrocki’s decision. However, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized the move as a “strategic mistake” that would benefit Moscow.
“We regret that emotions have taken over in Warsaw, leading Polish politicians to make unjustified, impulsive, and contemptuous decisions not just against President Zelensky but against the Ukrainian state,” Sybiha stated.
Sybiha also indicated that he would return the Commander’s Cross with Star of the Order of Merit for Poland, which he received in October 2022. He emphasized that the issue is not about awards, but rather about mutual respect in addressing complex topics.
On May 26, Zelensky signed a decree honoring a special operations unit of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with the name “Heroes of the UPA,” which prompted backlash from Warsaw. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk commented on the dispute, suggesting that focusing on past grievances could allow others to benefit in the future.
Additionally, Krzysztof Bosak, Deputy Speaker of the Polish Parliament and leader of the right-wing Confederation party, called for blocking Ukraine’s accession to the European Union due to the naming of the Ukrainian unit.
The recent tensions highlight ongoing complexities in Ukrainian-Polish relations. Sybiha noted that both nations had made progress in exhumation and reburial efforts, particularly in Huta Peniacka, and described the current escalation as counterproductive.
“No president from another country will dictate our history,” he asserted.
The UPA, active from 1942 to 1956, aimed to unify various nationalist armed groups under the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN). Its legacy remains contentious, with differing perceptions in Poland and Ukraine regarding its actions during and after World War II.
Poland's President Karol Nawrocki has revoked the Order of the White Eagle from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky due to a controversial military honor. This move reflects ongoing tensions between the two nations regarding historical interpretations of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.