Poland Withdraws Zelensky's Order of the White Eagle, Igniting Tensions Over Historical Memory and Nationalism
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In a move highlighting the persistent shadow of nationalist violence and the dangers of historical revisionism, Polish President Karol Nawrocki revoked President Zelensky’s Order of the White Eagle after Ukraine honored the controversial UPA, deepening diplomatic strains and exposing the fragility of Eastern European solidarity against authoritarian threats.
On June 19, Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced the revocation of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s most prestigious civilian award, in response to Ukraine’s decision to name an active military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). The UPA, which fought for Ukrainian independence during World War II, is notorious in Poland for its role in the brutal massacres of Polish civilians in Volyn—a dark chapter often whitewashed by nationalist narratives.
Nawrocki, in a somber video address, declared, "We must not betray the sacrifices of our ancestors with silence. These are graves that must not be forgotten," underscoring Poland’s repeated but ignored appeals to Kyiv to reconsider glorifying groups complicit in ethnic violence. The move signals Poland’s refusal to allow historical amnesia to undermine justice for victims of fascist and nationalist atrocities.
Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the revocation as a "strategic mistake" that plays into Moscow’s hands, and announced he would return the Commander’s Cross Order of Merit awarded by a previous Polish president. He insisted that Ukrainian soldiers had "no anti-Polish intent" and sought only to honor resistance to Soviet oppression, but failed to acknowledge the pain caused by celebrating groups with blood on their hands.
Ukrainian parliamentary speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk called Poland’s decision a "catastrophic mistake" that could sabotage the partnership, especially ahead of a recovery conference in Gdańsk. MP Mykola Kniazhytskyi suggested the move revealed the Polish president’s disregard for the Ukrainian people and their struggle, sidestepping the need for honest reckoning with the past.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has not commented on the revocation but previously advocated for dialogue to prevent Moscow from exploiting divisions. Nawrocki emphasized that Ukraine’s EU accession depends on confronting uncomfortable historical truths, warning that Poland would not support membership for states that glorify perpetrators of ethnic violence.
Despite the dispute, Nawrocki claimed that Poland’s support for Ukraine against Russian aggression remains steadfast. Yet, this episode exposes the ongoing dangers of nationalist mythmaking and the urgent need for solidarity rooted in justice and historical accountability.