WARSAW, Poland (AP) Polish President Karol Nawrocki made a controversial decision to revoke the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest state honor, from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This decision came in response to Zelenskyy's announcement on May 26, wherein he named a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), an organization accused of mass killings of Poles during World War II.
Nawrocki’s announcement on Friday indicated that the decision was essential for maintaining the historical context recognized by Polish society; he emphasized that for many Poles, the UPA is primarily viewed as responsible for severe crimes against Polish citizens during the war. He stated that the revocation of the honor does not imply a decrease in Poland’s support for Ukraine amidst its ongoing defense against Russian aggression.
Ukrainian officials voiced strong objections to Nawrocki's decision. Kyrylo Budanov, chief of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, decried the move as “an unfriendly act” towards the Ukrainian people, asserting that it would be advantageous to Moscow. Furthermore, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, characterized the decision as “a strategic mistake” benefitting solely Russia. Ambassador Vasyl Bodnar articulated that this decision is particularly painful for Ukrainians who are currently facing missile and drone attacks from Russia.
As tensions escalate, all three Ukrainian officials announced their intention to return honors they had received from the Polish state. Amid this crisis, Poland is preparing to host a significant event next week concerning Ukraine's postwar reconstruction, which Zelenskyy is anticipated to attend. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, positioned as a political rival to Nawrocki, called for a calming of hostilities, stating that tensions between Poland and Ukraine serve only to delight Russian President Vladimir Putin and shock international allies.
The UPA, established during the 1940s and 1950s, has a controversial history. While it fought for Ukrainian independence against German and Soviet forces, it has been implicated in the horrific deaths of tens of thousands of Poles, particularly in the regions of Volhynia and Eastern Galicia. In recognition of these crimes, the Polish Parliament classified UPA’s actions in 2016 as genocide. Ukrainian narratives often highlight that both the UPA and Polish underground forces engaged in mutual attacks that led to numerous civilian casualties on both sides.
Despite these current tensions, there had been recent positive developments between Poland and Ukraine regarding the historical reconciliation process. A December meeting between the presidents of both nations had indicated progress, particularly in discussions surrounding the exhumation of Polish victims. However, the revocation of Zelenskyy's honor threatens to undermine these diplomatic efforts.
This situation is emblematic of the complex historical relationship between Poland and Ukraine, further complicated by external pressures and the ongoing conflict with Russia, making the path to historical reconciliation a challenging endeavor for both nations.
