Ukrainian Leader Returns Polish State Honor Amid WWII Historical Dispute

The Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has returned Poland’s highest state honor following the Polish president’s decision to strip him of the award. This comes amid a politically charged debate over World War II history.

Zelenskyy shared his reasons through a social media post, stating that Ukrainians believed the honor was meant for the Ukrainian people and their army. He expressed that sending back the Order of the White Eagle to Poland’s president reflects the respect Ukrainians deserve.

Today, I sent the Order back to the President of Poland. I believe the future will confirm the respect Ukrainians deserve.

Photos of the Polish order and a postal receipt accompanied the post. President Karol Nawrocki had revoked Zelenskyy’s Order of the White Eagle due to the Ukrainian leader’s decision to name a military unit after a controversial Ukrainian paramilitary group accused of massacring Poles during WWII.

Former Polish President Andrzej Duda awarded Zelenskyy the honor in 2023 for his services in security and defense of human rights. However, Zelenskyy’s May 26 decree named a unit of Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), accused in Poland of mass killings.

President Nawrocki stated that, for many Poles, the UPA represents a group responsible for cruel crimes against Polish citizens during WWII.

For the majority of Polish society, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army remains above all a formation responsible for cruel crimes against the citizens of the Polish Republic during World War II.

This action by Zelenskyy has reignited historical tensions between the two countries. Despite Poland’s role as a key supporter of Ukraine against Russia, Nawrocki, a nationalist politician, has leveraged anti-Ukrainian sentiment for political gains.

Nawrocki clarified that the decision to revoke the honor did not affect Poland’s support for Ukraine’s defense against Russia. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Poland’s support and openness to resolving historical differences.

I am proud of our people and of EVERY Ukrainian warrior.

Kyrylo Budanov, chief of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, described Nawrocki’s decision as unfriendly and favorable to the Moscow aggressor. He announced plans to return state honors to Poland with other Ukrainian officials.

Some Ukrainians criticized Zelenskyy’s decision to return the honors. Former Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk called it harmful and incorrect.

One harmful and incorrect decision by the current president of Poland cannot be corrected by other incorrect decisions of ours.

Poland is set to host a major event on Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction. Amid this issue, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged leaders to calm emotions and avoid tensions, noting that such disputes please adversaries like Putin.

Zelenskyy’s decree aimed to restore military traditions by honoring a unit’s contribution to defending Ukraine’s integrity. The UPA fought against Nazi Germany and Soviet forces but faced accusations of committing genocide against Poles, recognized by Poland’s Parliament in 2016.

While both sides note involvement in civilian casualties, efforts were made for reconciliation in a recent meeting between the Ukrainian and Polish presidents.