Diplomatic Strain Over Historical Interpretations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been stripped of Poland's most prestigious state decoration, the Order of the White Eagle. The decision by Polish President Karol Nawrocki stems from Kyiv's recent move to name a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a group with a contested legacy from World War Two.
Polish Condemnation and Ukrainian Response
President Nawrocki labeled Ukraine's choice to honor the UPA as "outrageous," "incomprehensible," and "deeply disappointing." He emphasized that while this diplomatic disagreement would not diminish Poland's overall support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, the historical glorification of the UPA was problematic. In response, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized Warsaw's action as a "strategic mistake" and a sign of "disrespect," announcing he would return an award he received from Poland in 2022.
"For the overwhelming majority of Polish society, the UPA remains, above all, a formation responsible for the brutal crimes committed against citizens of the Republic of Poland during World War II," Nawrocki stated in a video message. "That is why the Ukrainian authorities' decision to glorify the UPA is not only outrageous, it is also incomprehensible and deeply disappointing. It hurts not only our historical memory. It also undermines the trust built up over the years and in recent months."
Nawrocki highlighted Poland's significant humanitarian efforts, having welcomed hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. He also linked Ukraine's aspirations for European integration to a willingness to confront difficult historical chapters honestly, asserting that a united Europe is founded on the rejection of totalitarianism and the cult of violence.
Conflicting Historical Perspectives
For many Ukrainians, the UPA, active during the 1940s and 1950s, is revered as a group that fought for Ukrainian independence against both the Soviet Red Army and Nazi Germany, as well as Polish authorities. Consequently, the title "Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army" holds significant honor. However, Poland accuses the UPA of perpetrating a genocide against ethnic Poles in the Volhynia region (now Volyn, Ukraine) between 1943 and 1945, with estimates suggesting approximately 100,000 ethnic Poles were killed.
Zelensky previously stated his intention to use the UPA's name for a military unit to "restore the historical traditions of the national army." The UPA's red and black flag is reportedly still used by some Ukrainian troops on the front lines today. Zelensky himself has not directly commented on the diplomatic row.
Calls for De-escalation
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has sought to mitigate the escalating tensions between Kyiv and Warsaw. He posted on social media that the ongoing feud serves Russia's interests and urged both Zelensky and Nawrocki to "calm emotions, not to stoke tensions."
The Order of the White Eagle was originally bestowed upon President Zelensky in 2023 by then-President Andrzej Duda. The current dispute underscores the complex historical narratives that continue to influence contemporary diplomatic relations between the two nations, even as Ukraine pursues its goal of European Union membership.
Source: Zelensky stripped of highest Polish honour over WW2 name of army unit