Polish President Refuses to Strip Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle

Tensions Between Poland and Ukraine

According to Главком: Polish President Karol Nawrocki has declined to move forward with a proposal to revoke the Order of the White Eagle from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Former Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz commented on the decision, noting that Warsaw has stepped back while Kyiv has held its ground. The dispute stems from Ukraine granting an honorary designation to a military unit named after the Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).

Nawrocki had previously suggested reviewing whether to strip Zelensky of the prestigious award, but the Polish president's office stated that a decision on the matter would be made at an appropriate time. Czaputowicz emphasized that any president always makes decisions when the time is right, which in this case means the revocation never actually happened. He added:

“It is hard for me to imagine any reason why such a decision could be made in the future.”

(Jacek Czaputowicz)

Reaction to the Honorary Designation

Through decree No. 440/2026, Zelensky granted the honorary name of the Heroes of the UPA to the Special Operations Center North, sparking strong backlash in Polish society. Czaputowicz noted that this caused 'genuine pain' for many Poles, as the UPA is associated with the Volhynia tragedy and mass killings of Poles. He added that Poland's attempts to exploit Ukraine's difficult position to force a change in its historical stance are unacceptable.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also weighed in, stating that escalating tensions between Ukraine and Poland benefits neither side. Czaputowicz described the situation as a 'game of chicken,' pointing out that Nawrocki was the first to back down and failed to keep his promise, while Zelensky held firm.

In light of these events, the status of Zelensky's award remains unresolved, and Czaputowicz stressed the need for dialogue between Ukraine and Poland. He believes Ukraine should not yield to Polish pressure, as the country is strong and possesses a powerful military. This underscores the importance of Ukraine maintaining its independence on historical matters and the need for constructive dialogue to prevent further deterioration of relations between the neighboring countries.

The ongoing tensions between Poland and Ukraine are further complicated by Poland's demand for the removal of the honorary title associated with the UPA from a Ukrainian military unit. This issue has sparked significant debate within Polish society, as many view the UPA's historical actions as deeply painful. For a deeper understanding of the implications surrounding this demand, you can read more about the controversy over the UPA Heroes title.