Growing Concerns Over Strained Poland-Ukraine Relations
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has voiced serious concerns about rising tensions between Poland and Ukraine, triggered by a decree from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The decree honors the Special Operations Center North with the honorary name of the Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). Tusk placed full responsibility on Ukraine for the resulting strain and warned that bilateral relations could now move into a phase of 'hard business.'
Tusk made these remarks after attending the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro. He argued that Ukraine had created the problem itself and must now work to resolve it.
“For now, the entire responsibility rests on the Ukrainian side to somehow fix this completely unnecessary conflict of historical interpretations,” Tusk stated.He also emphasized that he would not understand Ukraine honoring those who killed Poles—their closest allies.
Fallout From the Decree
The controversy began with Zelenskyy’s decree No. 440/2026, issued on May 27, which aimed to revive historical traditions of the national military. In response, Polish President Andrzej Duda proposed stripping Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle, a move scheduled for discussion at the order’s chapter meeting on June 8. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski called Zelenskyy’s decision a mistake, while former Polish ambassador to Ukraine Bartosz Cichocki returned the Order of Merit he had received from Zelenskyy.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, explained that the naming was a choice made by the military unit itself and carried no anti-Polish intent. In ongoing diplomatic efforts, Tusk’s representatives are in talks with Ukrainian Presidential Office Head Kyrylo Budanov, and Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Bosacki met with Budanov on Friday. The Ukraine Recovery Conference URC 2026 is scheduled for late June in Gdańsk.
The situation remains tense as both nations seek a way out of a conflict rooted in historical grievances. Engagement between Polish and Ukrainian officials may prove crucial to resolving the issue, as future decisions could significantly impact relations between the neighboring countries, especially within the context of their cooperation in European and regional initiatives.
As tensions escalate, the Polish government is actively responding to the implications of Zelenskyy's decree. In this context, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has issued a statement addressing Poland's proposal to revoke Zelensky's award, underscoring the diplomatic complexities that are unfolding between the two nations. These developments highlight the ongoing struggle over historical narratives and their impact on modern relations.