Zelenskyy Returns Poland's Order of the White Eagle After President Revokes It Over WWII History Dispute
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sent back the Order of the White Eagle after Polish President Karol Nawrocki withdrew the honor, citing the naming of a unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on X that he had returned Poland’s highest state decoration, the Order of the White Eagle, following its revocation by Polish President Karol Nawrocki. Zelenskyy said the order was intended for the Ukrainian people and armed forces and expressed confidence that future relations would reflect the respect Ukraine deserves.
Nawrocki stripped the award after Zelenskyy issued a decree on May 26 naming a Special Operations Forces unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a World-II-era group accused in Poland of mass killings of Polish civilians. In a 13-minute social-media address, Nawrocki said the UPA is “responsible for cruel crimes against the citizens of the Polish Republic during World War II.”
The revocation sparked criticism in Poland, which hosts millions of Ukrainian refugees and remains a key supporter of Kyiv in its conflict with Russia. Nawrocki emphasized that the decision does not alter Poland’s overall support for Ukraine’s defence.
Ukraine’s presidential office described the move as “an unfriendly act toward our people” and warned it could be exploited by Russia. Several Ukrainian officials said they would return other Polish honors they had received.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a political rival of Nawrocki, called for both leaders to “tone down emotions, not stoke tensions,” adding that the dispute “delights Putin and shocks our allies.”
Zelenskyy’s decree explained that naming the unit after the UPA was meant to restore military traditions and honour the unit’s role in defending Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The UPA fought against both Nazi Germany and Soviet forces but has been condemned by Poland as responsible for killings of tens of thousands of Poles, a judgment the Polish parliament classified as genocide in 2016. Recent bilateral talks have shown progress on historical reconciliation, including cooperation on exhumations of Polish victims.