Duda Warns Zelenskyy Could Lose Poland's Highest Honor Amid Strained Ties

Andrzej Duda Weighs In on the Order of the White Eagle Controversy

According to Главком: Former Polish President Andrzej Duda has addressed the possibility of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy being stripped of the Order of the White Eagle, an award presented to Zelenskyy in the spring of 2023 during a meeting in Warsaw. The decoration was granted for outstanding contributions to the development of Polish-Ukrainian relations. Current Polish President Karol Nawrocki has proposed reviewing the revocation of Zelenskyy's order, a move tied to the decision to bestow an honorary name on a special operations unit in tribute to the Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).

Duda reminded that he awarded Zelenskyy 'at a different time and under different circumstances.' He noted that both the situation and Zelenskyy's behavior have since changed.

“And that is obvious,” Duda emphasized.

No official decision on stripping the order has been made yet, but the matter has been placed on the agenda for the Order of the White Eagle chapter meeting scheduled for June 8.

The Stakes of the Final Decision

Duda also stressed that the final call rests with Poland's sitting president, Karol Nawrocki.

“Of course, the president will hear the chapter's opinion and, when making a decision, will definitely consider all circumstances and facts. And they vary-not all are remembered, not all are widely known, and not all are visible in the current atmosphere,”

he added. As a result, the question of revoking Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Order of the White Eagle remains a pressing issue in Polish-Ukrainian relations.

The controversy surrounding the Order of the White Eagle underscores the complexity of Polish-Ukrainian ties amid historical and contemporary political challenges. Poland's stance could shape perceptions of Ukraine in the region and influence the dynamics of cooperation between the two nations. In a shifting political climate, such decisions serve as critical signals for both sides, with potential long-term consequences for bilateral relations.

The ongoing tensions between Poland and Ukraine are further illustrated by the recent decision to remove the Ukrainian flag from Lublin City Hall. This move follows President Zelenskyy's decree honoring the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), which has sparked significant backlash. For a deeper understanding of how these developments reflect the evolving dynamics of Polish-Ukrainian relations, you can read more about the flag removal here.