A member of the Czech ruling coalition, the SPD party (Freedom and Direct Democracy), has formally requested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky be stripped of the country’s highest state award, the Order of the White Lion. The news was first reported by ČESKÉ NOVINY. This move follows a similar incident in Poland, where diplomatic tensions spiked over historical disagreements.
Jindřich Rajchl, a prominent political figure associated with the SPD faction, stated that the request is a response to President Zelensky’s decision to name a Ukrainian military unit after historical figures deemed controversial by several European nations. Rajchl argued that the Czech Republic should follow Poland’s example in withdrawing honors, asserting that such gestures are necessary to maintain political consistency regarding national values.
Despite the political noise, the legal path for such a revocation is virtually non-existent. A spokesperson for Czech President Petr Pavel, Vojtěch Šeliga, clarified that current legislation and the Constitution of the Czech Republic do not grant the President the authority to unilaterally revoke state awards. According to Šeliga, such an action would require a definitive court sentence stripping an individual of honorary titles, a condition that does not apply in this diplomatic context.
Volodymyr Zelensky was originally awarded the Order of the White Lion in October 2022 by then-President Miloš Zeman. The award recognized his courage and determination in choosing to remain in Kyiv during the early days of the full-scale Russian invasion. The current rhetoric highlights the ongoing challenge for Ukraine as it navigates complex relationships with its Central European allies. While Ukraine continues to advocate for international unity, issues surrounding historical memory and domestic policy often lead to friction with neighboring countries. Analysts note that as the conflict evolves, maintaining the delicate balance between internal national identity and international diplomatic standing remains a significant hurdle for the Ukrainian government. Ultimately, the clash between political demands and established law serves as a reminder that institutional stability often outweighs emotional political initiatives in democratic states.