Ukraine-Poland Award Dispute and Historical Tensions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently returned Poland’s highest state honor, the Order of the White Eagle, after Polish President Karol Nawrocki removed the award due to a dispute over WWII history. Zelenskyy emphasized on social media that the order was intended for the Ukrainian people and military. He expressed hope that respect for Ukrainians would be recognized in the future.

Photos showing the Polish order and postal receipt mark its return to the Polish presidential office. The controversy arose from Zelenskyy naming a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, a paramilitary group accused of massacring Poles during the war. Former Polish President Andrzej Duda had awarded Zelenskyy in 2023 for his services towards security and defending human rights.

Nawrocki, in a social media address, highlighted that the Ukrainian Insurgent Army is viewed in Poland as responsible for atrocities against Polish citizens in WWII. Despite hosting Ukrainian refugees and supporting Kyiv against Russian aggression, Nawrocki has used anti-Ukrainian sentiments for political gain. He noted that Poland’s support for Ukraine remains unwavering, despite the honor revocation.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Poland’s support and an openness to resolving historical differences. He praised the Ukrainian people and military. Ukrainian officials, including Presidential Office chief Kyrylo Budanov, criticized Nawrocki’s actions, calling it unfriendly and advantageous to Russia. Budanov, along with four other Ukrainian officials, planned to return their Polish honors.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Ukraine’s former prime minister, critiqued the return of honors as a harmful decision, advocating for dialogue over incorrect actions.

Poland is set to host an event on Ukraine’s reconstruction, with Zelenskyy expected to participate. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, opposing Nawrocki, urged leaders to reduce tensions, warning that division serves Russian interests and alarms allies.

Zelenskyy’s decree aimed to restore military traditions and commend the unit’s defense of Ukraine’s independence. Historical records show the UPA battled against Nazi and Soviet forces but faced accusations of mass killings in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia. Polish Parliament, in 2016, recognized UPA’s actions against Poles as genocide. Both Polish and Ukrainian sides claim involvement in wartime civilian casualties.

Recent diplomatic efforts had shown progress in addressing Polish victims, following meetings in Warsaw promoting historical reconciliation between the nations.