Navrotsky Strips Zelensky of Poland’s Highest Honor, Putting Tusk in a Bind

The Dispute Over the Order of the White Eagle

According to Radiotrek — Світ: A June 20, 2026, post on Radio Trek by Roman Matys and the editorial team details a conflict surrounding Poland’s Order of the White Eagle. According to the report, Navrotsky openly removed Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky from receiving the nation’s top award. Matys argues that this move is a calculated political maneuver designed to undermine Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

The post notes that final revocation of the honor requires Tusk’s signature. As Matys emphasizes,

“the key detail of these actions is hidden in the fine print: to make the removal final, the Prime Minister’s signature is needed.”

Representing the Law and Justice party (PiS), Navrotsky is playing a long game, eyeing Poland’s 2027 parliamentary elections.

“Navrotsky didn’t just take away the order-he set up Tusk. The same Tusk who just sat across from Zelensky as a mature politician building relationships rather than burning bridges,”

the author states.

Impact on Ukrainian-Polish Relations

The publication also mentions that the Order of the White Eagle is allegedly being sold on eBay. Matys points out that

“the eagle is being sold on eBay.”

He notes that “Navrotsky has already gotten what he wanted-electoral points were banked the second he stepped in front of the camera.” According to him, Navrotsky (PiS) is trying to leverage this situation to bolster his position ahead of the upcoming elections.

Furthermore, the post suggests that, in Matys’s view, “Moscow is quietly applauding” behind the scenes of this conflict. He believes Russia has invested years in an information war to drive a wedge between Ukraine and Europe and is now seeing those investments pay off. In this context, Matys remarks that “Trump really likes Navrotsky, and really, really doesn’t like Ukraine.”

Thus, the situation surrounding the Order of the White Eagle has become a flashpoint in Poland’s domestic political struggle, with potentially significant consequences for future Ukrainian-Polish relations.

This conflict and its fallout signal a possible escalation of tensions between Ukraine and Poland, particularly with Poland’s parliamentary elections on the horizon. Navrotsky’s actions may be seen as an attempt to boost his party’s political capital while simultaneously straining international ties. Given the support Russia might lend to such scenarios, it’s crucial to monitor developments closely, as they could affect regional stability and relations between key European states.

The recent decision by Navrotsky has not only sparked controversy but also sheds light on the fragile state of Ukrainian-Polish relations. In a related incident, Budanov declined a Polish award following the uproar surrounding Zelensky’s honor, highlighting the growing diplomatic tensions. This sequence of events indicates a complex interplay of political maneuvers that could have lasting implications for bilateral ties.