WARSAW, Poland, June 20 – Relations between Ukraine and Poland have encountered a new diplomatic challenge after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy returned Poland’s highest state distinction following a decision by Polish President Karol Nawrocki to revoke the honor. The disagreement has reignited a long-running and emotionally charged debate over events that took place during WWII, exposing historical tensions between two neighboring nations that have otherwise maintained close cooperation in recent years.
The development comes at a sensitive moment for both countries. Poland has remained one of Ukraine’s strongest political and logistical supporters since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. However, differing interpretations of wartime history continue to create friction despite efforts by both governments to improve historical understanding and reconciliation.
Zelenskyy’s Move Reopened Old Wounds in Poland
The controversy centers on a decree issued by President Zelenskyy on May 26, which designated a unit of Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces in honor of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). The UPA remains a deeply divisive historical subject across Eastern Europe.
In Ukraine, many view the UPA as a movement that fought for national independence during and after WWII against both Nazi Germany and Soviet forces. Ukrainian officials and historians who support this perspective argue that the organization played a significant role in the country’s struggle for self-determination.
In Poland, however, the UPA is widely associated with the killing of Polish civilians during the war years, particularly in the regions of Volhynia and Eastern Galicia. The issue remains highly sensitive within Polish society, where the memory of those events continues to influence public opinion and political debate.
President Nawrocki announced the withdrawal of the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest civilian distinction, stating that Zelenskyy’s decision to honor the UPA had crossed a line that many Poles considered unacceptable. In a lengthy public address, the Polish leader emphasized that a large portion of Polish society views the organization primarily through the lens of the atrocities committed against citizens of the former Polish Republic during World WWII.
The Order of the White Eagle had originally been awarded to Zelenskyy in 2023 by then-President Andrzej Duda. At the time, the honor recognized Ukraine’s resistance against Russian aggression as well as Zelenskyy’s role in promoting security, resilience, and democratic values during one of the most challenging periods in modern European history.
In response to the decision, Zelenskyy announced that he would return the award to Poland. Writing on social media, the Ukrainian president said many Ukrainians had considered the decoration a symbol of recognition for the Ukrainian people and the country’s armed forces rather than a personal achievement.
He stated that the honor had been accepted on behalf of Ukrainians who were defending their nation and expressed confidence that future generations would better understand the sacrifices made by Ukraine. His message included photographs of the decoration along with documentation showing it was being returned to the Polish presidential office.
The move quickly drew attention across Europe and generated strong reactions from political leaders, historians, and members of the public on both sides of the border.
Leaders Call for Calm as Both Nations Seek to Preserve Cooperation
Despite the escalating rhetoric, leaders in both countries have attempted to prevent the dispute from damaging broader strategic relations.
President Nawrocki stressed that Poland’s military, humanitarian, and political support for Ukraine would continue regardless of the disagreement. He argued that historical disputes should not undermine cooperation against common security threats, particularly as Ukraine continues to defend itself against Russian military aggression.
Zelenskyy also emphasized that Ukraine remains grateful for Poland’s support throughout the war. He reiterated his willingness to continue discussions aimed at resolving historical disagreements while maintaining close ties between the two nations.
The dispute prompted additional reactions from senior Ukrainian officials. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, described the revocation of the award as an unfriendly gesture toward the Ukrainian people. He argued that such actions risk benefiting Moscow by creating divisions between countries that have worked closely together since the start of the conflict.
Several Ukrainian officials followed Zelenskyy’s example by announcing plans to return honors previously awarded by Poland.
Not everyone in Ukraine supported that response. Former Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk publicly cautioned against escalating the situation further. In comments posted online, he suggested that responding to one controversial decision with another could deepen tensions rather than help resolve them.
Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk sought to lower the temperature of the debate. Tusk, who has often differed politically from President Nawrocki, called on both sides to avoid emotional reactions and focus on larger strategic priorities. He warned that public disputes between Warsaw and Kyiv could undermine international unity at a time when both countries face significant geopolitical challenges.
Observers note that the disagreement arrives after several years of progress in addressing historical grievances. Poland and Ukraine have recently worked together on efforts related to the exhumation and identification of wartime victims. Diplomatic meetings between officials from both countries had also raised hopes that longstanding disputes surrounding World War II history could gradually be addressed through dialogue and mutual understanding.
Historians continue to debate the full scope and context of the violence that occurred during the war. While Polish institutions have characterized UPA actions against Polish civilians as genocide, many Ukrainian scholars emphasize that armed groups from multiple sides were involved in a cycle of violence and retaliation that resulted in substantial civilian losses among both Poles and Ukrainians.
As of Saturday, the dispute remains unresolved. However, officials in Warsaw and Kyiv continue to signal that cooperation on security, economic development, and Ukraine’s future reconstruction remains a priority. With Poland preparing to host major discussions on Ukraine’s postwar rebuilding efforts, both governments face growing pressure from allies to prevent historical disagreements from overshadowing their broader partnership.
The latest controversy serves as a reminder that even strong alliances can be tested by unresolved questions from the past. While political leaders continue to defend their respective positions, many observers hope that dialogue and diplomacy will ultimately prevail, allowing Poland and Ukraine to maintain cooperation while confronting the difficult legacy of history.