Zelensky has returned Poland's highest order after Poland's new leader threatened to reclaim the award due to displeasure over Ukraine naming a military unit after a notorious World War II force.
Foreign news agencies reported on 20 Jun 2026 that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated he has returned Poland's highest honor after current Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced he would revoke the award from him.
The Polish Order of the White Eagle was awarded to Zelensky in 2023 by then-Polish President Andrzej Duda.
However, last month, the Kyiv government angered Poland sharply by renaming a Ukrainian military unit after the notorious World War II group known as the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).
Additionally, three other senior Ukrainian officials announced they too would return awards previously given by Poland, demonstrating solidarity and support for their president.
Many Ukrainians view the UPA, active in the 1940s and 1950s, as heroes fighting for Ukraine's independence against the Soviet Red Army, Nazi Germany, and Polish authorities; the UPA's red and black flags are still often used by Ukrainian forces on the front lines today.
However, Poland accuses the UPA of responsibility for the ethnic cleansing of approximately 100,000 Poles in the Volhynia region (now Volyn in Ukraine) during 1943-1945.
Poland has long been one of Ukraine's key allies in the war against Russia, hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees and serving as a hub for delivering humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Zelensky said in a social media statement that Ukraine remains open to meaningful cooperation with Poland in all forms to avoid conflicting interpretations of their shared, painful historical past, adding that Ukraine is grateful to the Polish people for their assistance and ongoing partnership.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki condemned Ukraine's May decision to name a military unit after the UPA as "shameful," "unbelievable," and "deeply disappointing."
Nonetheless, Nawrocki affirmed that this diplomatic dispute would not affect Poland's support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
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Source:bbc