Poland’s President, Karol Nawrocki, has revoked the country’s highest state honour previously awarded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, deepening a diplomatic dispute between the neighbouring allies over historical grievances dating back to World War II.
The decision centres on Ukraine’s recent move to name a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a nationalist force that remains highly controversial in Poland because of its role in massacres of Polish civilians during the Second World War.
Announcing the decision on Friday, Nawrocki said historical truth could not be compromised and accused Kyiv of ignoring repeated appeals from Warsaw to reconsider the naming of the military unit.
“Historical truth is not, and can never be, a bargaining chip,” the Polish president said.
As a result, Nawrocki revoked the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest national distinction, which had previously been bestowed on Zelensky in recognition of his leadership during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine Condemns Move
Ukraine strongly criticised the decision, describing it as a setback for relations between two countries that have remained close partners since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the move unjustified and warned that the dispute could undermine cooperation at a critical time.
Kyiv argued that the controversy benefits Russia by creating divisions between countries that have worked closely together throughout the war.
In protest, Sybiha announced plans to return a Polish state award he received in 2022, describing the decision against Zelensky as “unjustified, impulsive and disrespectful”.
Historical Tensions Resurface
The dispute highlights longstanding tensions over wartime history between Poland and Ukraine.
The UPA is viewed by many Ukrainians as a symbol of resistance against both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. However, in Poland, the group is widely remembered for massacres carried out against Polish civilians in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia during World War II.
Although relations between Warsaw and Kyiv improved significantly after Russia’s invasion, disagreements over historical memory have periodically resurfaced.
Allies Despite Differences
Poland has been one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters during the war, welcoming hundreds of thousands of refugees and serving as a major transit hub for Western military and humanitarian assistance.
The disagreement comes just days before Poland hosts the annual Ukraine Recovery Conference in the Baltic city of Gdansk, an event focused on rebuilding Ukraine and strengthening international support.
It remains unclear whether Zelensky will attend the gathering amid the growing diplomatic tensions.
Despite the latest row, analysts note that both countries continue to share strategic interests in countering Russian aggression, even as historical disputes occasionally strain bilateral relations.
