Ukraine's Top Diplomat Rejects Polish Award After President Zelenskyy Is Stripped of Honor

Andrii Sybiha Turns Down State Decoration

According to Главком: Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, has declined a Polish state honor following a decision by Polish President Karol Nawrocki to revoke the Order of the White Eagle previously awarded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The decoration Sybiha rejected-the Commander’s Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland-had originally been conferred upon him in October 2022.

Fallout from the Polish President’s Move

The move by President Nawrocki to strip President Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle has sparked considerable debate. Nawrocki proposed this revocation after Zelenskyy issued Decree No. 440/2026, which granted the honorary designation “named after the Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA)” to the Special Operations Forces’ “North” Separate Center.

Andrii Sybiha voiced strong disapproval of the Polish president’s action, calling it a strategic misstep that only benefits Moscow.

“We regret that emotions have taken over in Warsaw, driving Polish politicians to make unjustified, impulsive, and disrespectful moves-not just toward President Zelenskyy but, above all, toward the Ukrainian state,” he emphasized.

The minister further explained that, given these circumstances, he could no longer keep the award.

“In light of such reckless actions, I see no way to retain the high state honor of the Republic of Poland-the Commander’s Cross with Star of the Order of Merit-that was granted to me in October 2022. I will return it to Poland shortly,” he added.

Sybiha also noted that Ukraine had spent the past year and a half actively working to resolve disagreements and depoliticize historical issues. “We achieved a great deal along this path. Right now, search operations are underway in Huta Pieniacka, as requested by the Polish side. Against this backdrop, the current escalation is counterproductive and unnecessary for both Ukrainians and Poles,” he concluded.

For his part, Karol Nawrocki insisted that “the issue of historical memory cannot be a matter of political compromise.” This situation continues to draw scrutiny from international experts and policymakers, as it raises questions about the state of Ukraine-Poland relations amid overlapping historical grievances and contemporary politics.

Sybiha’s refusal of the award and the Polish president’s decision to revoke Zelenskyy’s Order of the White Eagle highlight a growing rift between Ukraine and Poland over historical matters. This underscores how sensitive issues of collective memory can have far-reaching consequences for bilateral ties. The recent events emphasize the urgent need for dialogue and reconciliation to prevent historical disputes from escalating into broader political conflict.

The recent decision by President Nawrocki has not only affected Zelenskyy but also led to significant reactions from Ukrainian officials. For a deeper understanding of the implications surrounding this situation, including the historical context and the controversy regarding the UPA designation, read more about how Poland's actions have influenced diplomatic relations in our detailed coverage regarding Zelenskyy's award revocation.