Ukraine's presidential office chief declines Polish award after Nawrocki's decision regarding Zelenskyy
Photo: Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov (Getty Images)
Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov has stated that he is refusing the Gold Officer's Cross of the Order "For Merit to Poland," which he was awarded by the Polish president last year.
"Unfortunately, Polish President Karol Nawrocki has committed an unfriendly act against our people by depriving the President of Ukraine of the Order of the White Eagle previously awarded to him," Budanov wrote.
According to him, this is a gift to Moscow's aggressor, which it will inevitably use against both countries.
"Our peoples have long-standing relations and different pages of history — both heroic and tragic. However, this should be a reason for deep reflection, not crude political speculation. Ukraine does not tell any other nation how to study its history. Therefore, we also reserve the rightful right to our own national memory and dignity," the head of the President's Office said.
Budanov expressed confidence that the Polish president’s gesture is not about justice or anything similar.
As an example, he noted that the Order of the White Eagle has not been revoked from Italian dictator and Adolf Hitler’s collaborator Benito Mussolini.
"Ukraine will undoubtedly assess this event. But despite everything, we will continue to stand firmly on the principles of open partnership with all our allies — a partnership based on equality and mutual respect," he emphasized.
Photo: Budanov declines Polish award (t.me/Kyrylo_Budanov_Official)
Photo: Budanov declines Polish award (t.me/Kyrylo_Budanov_Official)
He stressed that Ukraine will continue to fight on the front line of defending all of Europe, including Poland, paying the highest price.
"But like any Ukrainian, I cannot remain indifferent and simply watch as a machine of hatred is being unjustifiably and artificially fueled against our citizens. In light of this, I am refusing the Gold Officer's Cross of the Order "For Merit to Poland," which I was awarded last year by the President of Poland," Budanov said.
He expressed confidence that Ukrainian society — both military personnel and civilians — shares these emotions and will support this decision.
Stripping Zelenskyy of Polish order
Recall that on June 19, Polish President Karol Nawrocki decided to strip Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Poland’s highest state award — the Order of the White Eagle.
The Polish leader, who serves as Grand Master of the order, explained his decision by the need to "stand guard over the honor of the highest state decoration," adding that the future of relations between the countries must be built solely on truth.
This move by Warsaw was the result of another diplomatic scandal between Ukraine and Poland over historical issues. The main trigger of the crisis was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decree awarding an honorary title "named after the Heroes of the UPA" to a Special Operations Forces center.
In Poland, where the UPA issue is associated exclusively with the Volyn tragedy and is considered by many to be genocide against the Polish people, the decision triggered an official protest from the Foreign Ministry and a wave of outrage among politicians.
At the same time, Warsaw has begun using historical disputes as a tool of pressure, which could potentially complicate Ukraine's European integration and future EU accession.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressed regret that emotions in Warsaw led Polish politicians to take unjustified and disrespectful steps toward Ukraine.
Amid such actions, he decided to relinquish his Polish state award — the Commander's Cross with Star of the Order "For Merit to Poland," which he received in October 2022.
