Polish Civic Figures Grant Zelenskyy Their Own 'Order of the Future' After Presidential Snub

Ukraine's President Receives a New Honor

According to ХВИЛЯ: In response to Polish President Karol Nawrocki's decision to strip Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle, Polish public activists have awarded the Ukrainian leader their own self-made 'Order of the Future.' The initial revocation, announced on the evening of June 19, followed a Ukrainian military unit being named after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). The creators of this new award condemned the exploitation of the Volyn tragedy for political gain, accusing Nawrocki of fueling Russian propaganda.

The Order of the Future was designed by Szymon Szymankiewicz. In reaction to the Polish president's move, several Ukrainian officials-including Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Bodnar, and Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov-declared they would return their own Polish state decorations. On June 20, President Zelenskyy announced he had mailed his Order of the White Eagle back to Nawrocki. That same day, former Ukrainian presidents Leonid Kuchma, Viktor Yushchenko, and Petro Poroshenko also declined to accept the award.

Statement from the Award's Sponsors

The initiative's backers released a statement explaining their stance:

'Ukrainians are sacrificing their lives for the security of their own country, Poland, and Europe. The current decision by the Polish head of state demonstrates exactly how the Russian trap works. Polish right-wing forces have launched their parliamentary election campaign and are ruthlessly weaponizing the Volyn tragedy for political purposes.'

They emphasized: 'As citizens of the Republic of Poland, we are awarding our own medal. This is a grassroots initiative. In doing so, we show that many Poles will not be turned against Ukrainians.'

This episode highlights the friction in Polish-Ukrainian relations stemming from historical events like the Volyn tragedy. The response from Ukrainian officials not only reflects a desire to protect national dignity but also a strong rejection of using historical grievances as political tools. Despite these disputes, both nations continue to maintain a strategic partnership, especially given the ongoing security challenges in the region.

This recent recognition of President Zelenskyy by Polish civic figures comes amidst heightened tensions following the controversial revocation of his prior honor. Notably, in a display of solidarity, former Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has also returned his Polish award, emphasizing the importance of unity during these challenging times. For further insights into this act of defiance and its implications, read more about Groysman's return of the Polish Order.