Polish President Karol Nawrocki has initiated the process to strip Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of Poland’s highest state honor, the Order of the White Eagle. This was reported on June 19 by Polskie Radio. The decision stems from President Zelensky’s decree, which granted the honorary title “Named after the Heroes of the UPA” to a special operations center within the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
For the decision to take full effect, it requires the signature of the Polish Prime Minister. President Nawrocki stated that the Order of the White Eagle is a symbol of supreme trust, requiring not only achievements but also respect for the foundations of Polish society. He labeled the Ukrainian authorities’ decision to commemorate the UPA as outrageous and damaging to the trust between the two nations.
“This is a strike not only at our historical memory but also at the trust we have built over the years. It is a blow to the foundations of our reconciliation,” Nawrocki declared. However, he emphasized that this decision is not aimed against the Ukrainian people themselves, but specifically targets the policy decisions of the current government.
This diplomatic friction reflects the deeply sensitive nature of historical memory between Warsaw and Kyiv. While Ukraine continues to pursue its defense and diplomatic strategies, such as fostering new paths for international cooperation, internal historical disputes threaten to undermine political capital within the EU. The move by the Polish leadership signals that they are prepared to use high-level diplomatic gestures to express their dissatisfaction with how historical narratives are being shaped in the neighboring state.
As of now, the situation remains in flux, with potential implications for bilateral agreements and diplomatic relations. Both nations face a critical juncture where reconciling national narratives with geopolitical necessity will determine the future trajectory of their strategic partnership.