In an interview with the Polish publication Onet, former Polish President Andrzej Duda broke his silence regarding the escalating controversy surrounding Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Order of the White Eagle. Zelenskyy was awarded Poland’s highest state decoration in 2023 under vastly different geopolitical and emotional circumstances. Duda emphasized that any potential decision to strip the Ukrainian leader of this prestigious award must be made with utmost caution, taking into account the broader historical context rather than the charged political atmosphere of today.
The current Polish leadership, including Karol Nawrocki, is facing growing domestic pressure to reassess diplomatic ties with Kyiv. This debate has been fueled by unresolved historical grievances, transport disputes, and recent controversies involving Ukrainian military units. Duda, however, warned against rash emotional actions. He noted that while Zelenskyy’s recent diplomatic stances have shifted, the decision-making process must remain objective and rely heavily on the evaluation of the Chapter of the Order of the White Eagle.
“Of course, the president will listen to the opinion of the Chapter and, without a doubt, when making a decision, will take into account all circumstances and facts,” Duda stated. He pointed out that many crucial details of the initial phase of the 2022-2023 alliance are starting to be forgotten in the current tense political climate.
This diplomatic friction is further underscored by the actions of Poland’s former ambassador to Ukraine, Bartosz Cichocki, who recently returned his Ukrainian Order of Merit, which he had received in 2022. This gesture reflects a deeper systemic fatigue within certain diplomatic circles over unresolved bilateral issues. Furthermore, historical disputes, such as the naming of military units and issues of historical exhumations, continue to test the limits of the strategic alliance.
Ultimately, Duda’s intervention serves as a vital reminder that wartime alliances are fragile and should not be jeopardized by short-term political shifts. Revoking a state honor awarded during a period of critical existential defense could send a damaging message to international allies and undermine regional stability. For both Warsaw and Kyiv, maintaining strategic military and economic cooperation against Russian aggression must remain the absolute priority, transcending symbolic disagreements.