Tusk Acknowledges Rising Anti-Ukrainian Sentiment in Poland After Zelenskyy Order Controversy

Strained Polish-Ukrainian Relations

According to Главком: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has publicly recognized growing anti-Ukrainian feelings among Poles, while vowing not to fuel further tensions. He stated:

“I understand the mood and very often understand people’s justified irritation. There are incidents and actions that can justify such tension and such feelings”

- Donald Tusk. Tusk emphasized that Poland’s long-term interests lie in building the best possible relationship with Ukraine, 'based on a vision of the future, not the trauma of the past.'

Ukraine Recovery Conference

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not attend the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk; Ukraine’s delegation will be led by Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko. According to reports, on June 19, Polish President Karol Nawrocki revoked Zelenskyy’s Order of the White Eagle due to a decree that granted an honorary name-the Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA)-to a unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In response, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Andrii Sybiha, returned Polish state honors.

Polish-Ukrainian relations deteriorated sharply in late May 2026. It is known that Poland had prepared 200 agreements and contracts between Polish and Ukrainian companies for signing during the conference. Several Ukrainian officials have renounced Polish awards, including:

• Andrii Sybiha
• Kyrylo Budanov
• Leonid Kuchma
• Viktor Yushchenko
• Petro Poroshenko

It has also been reported that Polish President Nawrocki did not receive an invitation to the conference in Gdańsk.

Tusk believes Zelenskyy’s absence from the event is not a catastrophe.

“Whether it’s popular or not-I’ll be honest: that doesn’t interest me right now”

- Donald Tusk. In the context of interstate relations, Tusk also referenced the Visegrád Group: “When we act together-and we will act together-we can stand up to even the largest states with their own ideas. The V4 itself can become one of the greatest forces.”

These developments highlight escalating tensions in Polish-Ukrainian relations, driven by both political and historical factors. Zelenskyy’s absence from the conference and the return of awards underscore the complexity of bilateral ties, which require careful attention and dialogue. At the same time, Tusk is striving to maintain a positive course of cooperation with Ukraine, stressing the need for collective action within the Visegrád Group to strengthen regional stability.

Amidst the rising tensions, Tusk's remarks come at a time when the dynamics between Poland and Ukraine are particularly fragile. For further insights into Poland's stance on Ukraine's negotiations and the ongoing discourse surrounding airspace issues, read more about how Tusk addressed the airspace debate and Poland's call for a more active role in negotiations.