Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Bodnar has announced his decision to return the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland. This move follows the decision by the Polish Institute of National Remembrance to strip Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle, as reported via the [original source](https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4662939210695053&id=100009370612763&post_id=100009370612763_4662939210695053&rdid=vHI8ElCJ1aAJnjk1). The controversy stems from historical disputes regarding the UPA, which Polish authorities cited as the reason for the withdrawal of the high-level award.
Ambassador Bodnar stated that he could not remain on the sidelines regarding a decision he views as historically unjust. He emphasized that punishing the head of a state currently defending European security against Russian aggression by removing a prestigious award is a deeply hurtful gesture toward the Ukrainian people. Bodnar noted that amidst ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks, such diplomatic actions resonate painfully within Ukrainian society.
This incident follows a series of recent tensions between the two nations regarding historical memory. The Ukrainian leadership has repeatedly highlighted that, while historical dialogue is necessary, current security realities must take precedence. Bodnar expressed his hope that common sense and mutual respect would eventually overcome political emotions. He warned that any infighting between Kyiv and Warsaw serves the interests of only one entity: the Russian Federation.
Concluding his statement, the ambassador called for a renewed commitment to dialogue. He stressed that both nations are strategic partners with significant shared interests, particularly in defense. Despite the current diplomatic friction, Bodnar urged both parties to avoid actions that could weaken the bilateral alliance, warning that the Kremlin actively seeks to exploit these divisions to undermine the collective effort against Russian imperialism. The path forward, according to the ambassador, lies in prioritizing the future and the shared survival of both nations over deep-seated historical grievances that threaten to destabilize the current regional partnership.