Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki has announced the return of the White Eagle Order, awarded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this year, following a controversial decision by Zelensky to name a Ukrainian military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). The order was sent back to Poland on June 22, and will be stored in a special archive at the Polish presidential office.
Rafal Leskiewicz, spokesperson for the Polish president, confirmed the return of the award during an interview on Polsat News. He stated that the unique honor, along with its annulled certificate, would be preserved with the utmost respect, as it represents Poland’s highest state distinction.
“The order has indeed been sent back. We received it at the presidential office. The award will be deposited in the office of orders and nominations, where it will be kept with due dignity and respect,” said Leskiewicz. He added that a formal announcement regarding the decision is expected soon.
Leskiewicz expressed confidence that the situation surrounding the order would not escalate tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv. He referenced a statement made by President Nawrocki, which clarified that the revocation of the White Eagle Order was not directed against Ukrainians, emphasizing that Russia remains the common enemy of Ukraine and free Europe.
The decision to revoke the award was announced on June 19, when Nawrocki cited Zelensky’s decree to honor the UPA as the reason for the action. Zelensky subsequently returned the order by mail, reiterating Ukraine’s openness to constructive dialogue with Poland.
In light of Nawrocki’s decision, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga announced his refusal of the Commander’s Cross with Star of the Order of Merit to Poland. Other prominent Ukrainian figures, including former military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov and former Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, have also declined Polish honors.
Furthermore, former Ukrainian presidents Leonid Kuchma, Viktor Yushchenko, and Petro Poroshenko have renounced their White Eagle Orders in solidarity with the current administration.
On May 26, Zelensky issued a decree to honor the Special Operations Forces of Ukraine by naming one of its units after the UPA. This decision has sparked criticism from Polish historians and politicians, who argue that the UPA committed atrocities against Poles during World War II.
The Polish Institute of National Remembrance has stated that the UPA is responsible for the genocide in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia, urging resistance against any glorification of the group. Former Polish President Lech Wałęsa, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, also condemned Zelensky’s actions, stating he would remove a badge representing Ukraine from his attire.
On June 5, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for Ukraine to seek solutions to the issue, acknowledging the validity of Nawrocki’s reaction and emphasizing the importance of historical sensitivity in Polish public opinion.
In response, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sibiga asserted that Ukrainian soldiers chose the name for their unit themselves and did not intend any offense towards Poland.
Poland has returned the White Eagle Order to Ukraine's President Zelensky following his controversial decision to honor a military unit named after the UPA. This action has prompted various Ukrainian officials to renounce their Polish honors amid ongoing diplomatic discussions.