Zelensky Returns Poland's Highest Honor After Military Unit Naming Dispute

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has returned Poland's highest state honor, the Order of the White Eagle, after Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped him of the award in response to Ukraine's decision to name a military unit after a controversial World War II paramilitary organization. The gesture, confirmed through social media posts accompanied by postal receipts, marks an escalation in a historical dispute between the two nations despite their military alliance against Russia.

The Dispute Over Historical Memory

The conflict erupted after Zelensky issued a decree on May 26 naming a unit of Ukraine's Special Operations Forces after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, or UPA, which operated during the 1940s and 1950s. In Poland, the UPA is associated with the deaths of approximately 100,000 ethnic Poles in the Volyn region between 1943 and 1945. Nawrocki responded with a 13-minute video address, calling Ukraine's decision "outrageous," "incomprehensible," and "deeply disappointing."

The Polish president emphasized that for most Polish citizens, the UPA represents a symbol of brutal wartime crimes rather than a liberation force. Conversely, many Ukrainians view the organization as fighters who battled against Nazi Germany, the Soviet Red Army, and Polish authorities during the struggle for independence. The UPA's red and black flag remains in use by Ukrainian troops on the front line today.

Award and Diplomatic Context

The Order of the White Eagle was bestowed upon Zelensky in 2023 by then-President Andrzej Duda for services to security, resilience, and human rights defense. Three senior Ukrainian officials have also announced they are returning their Polish honors in solidarity with their president. Despite the tension, both nations have stressed that the disagreement will not undermine Poland's military and humanitarian support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia's four-year invasion.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk cautioned that internal disputes between the two countries benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging both leaders to de-escalate tensions. Zelensky responded by expressing gratitude for Poland's support, which has included hosting millions of Ukrainian refugees and serving as a key logistics hub for international aid. He stated Ukraine remains "open to all meaningful formats of engagement" to resolve historical differences.

Ukrainian Presidential Office chief Kyrylo Budanov characterized Nawrocki's decision as "an unfriendly act" and "a gift to the Moscow aggressor." However, Nawrocki reiterated that the diplomatic row would not diminish Poland's commitment to supporting Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression.