Mykhailo Kosiv Weighs In on Ukraine-Poland Tensions
Mykhailo Kosiv, a former political prisoner and five-term Ukrainian lawmaker, has offered an explanation for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's silence amid the escalating dispute with Poland over the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). In an interview with the outlet Glavcom, Kosiv addressed the fallout from Zelenskyy’s decree No. 440/2026, which granted the honorary designation 'Heroes of the UPA' to the Special Operations Center North. This move drew sharp criticism from Polish officials, including President Karol Nawrocki, who proposed revoking Zelenskyy’s Order of the White Eagle.
The Order of the White Eagle Dispute
Poland’s highest state honor, the Order of the White Eagle, is now at the center of a diplomatic rift. The order’s chapter convened a meeting, attended by Nawrocki himself, to discuss the award given to Zelenskyy. Polish presidential spokesperson Rafał Leśkiewicz stated that the head of state would make a decision at an appropriate time.
Kosiv said he spent considerable time analyzing why President Zelenskyy has not publicly responded to the controversy. His conclusion: the silence is a strategic move.
'There’s no need to change anything—let’s just watch how the Poles themselves escape the deadlock they’ve created. They want to take back the Order of the White Eagle? Let’s wait and see what they decide.' - Mykhailo Kosiv
Kosiv also placed the current tensions in the broader context of centuries-old Ukrainian-Polish relations. He pointed out that Poland pursued expansionist policies toward Ukraine for many centuries. 'Essentially, the Ukrainian state that took shape during the times of Kyivan Rus under Princes Volodymyr the Great and Yaroslav the Wise was destroyed by the Golden Horde on one side and occupied by the Polish Kingdom on the other,' he said.
In his view, the current actions of Polish authorities represent a 'relapse, a historical syndrome of the inherited mentality of an occupying state.' Kosiv argued that modern Polish society has not shed this mindset, which continues to complicate bilateral relations. The situation remains tense, and any further decisions by Polish authorities could significantly impact diplomatic ties between Ukraine and Poland.
The ongoing friction between Ukraine and Poland, triggered by decisions from Kyiv, highlights the deep historical complexities that still shape their relationship. In today’s political climate, such conflicts risk long-term consequences for cooperation and mutual understanding. Observing how the situation unfolds—and how Polish leaders respond—may offer critical signals for future diplomatic efforts on both sides.
As the diplomatic tension escalates, it is essential to understand the implications of Poland's potential actions against Zelenskyy. The ongoing debate over the designation of 'Heroes of the UPA' highlights deeper historical grievances between the two nations. To explore how this controversy might influence future relations, read more about Poland's considerations regarding stripping Zelenskyy of his prestigious award here.