Nawrocki fires back at Zelenskyy over claims of fueling hostility
Photo: Karol Nawrocki (Getty Images)
The controversy surrounding the Order of the White Eagle concerns historical issues rather than domestic politics or inciting hostility, Polish President Karol Nawrocki said, according to Polsat News.
Polish leader rejects claims that the awards scandal is fueling anti-Ukrainian sentiment.
According to him, the dispute lies purely within the realm of historical memory. Nawrocki stressed that he could not imagine a situation in which "Polish patriots, and especially the Polish President and the Polish government, would not stand together and unite."
Nawrocki also noted that Poland does not accept the "red-and-black Bandera flag."
"Volodymyr, Mr. President, this dispute has nothing to do with Poland's internal affairs. They simply do not exist... President Zelenskyy is mistaken," the Polish President said.
Background
Yesterday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that his Polish counterpart was engaged in domestic political struggles by fueling hatred toward Ukrainians. The Ukrainian leader also argued that Nawrocki was repeating the mistakes made by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Zelenskyy warned that such actions contribute to the radicalization of society and could lead to a dangerous escalation. He also stressed that it is Ukrainians who are currently defending and dying for the security of Poland and the entire European Union, not the other way around.
On June 19, Karol Nawrocki decided to revoke Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Order of the White Eagle, Poland's highest state honor.
The basis for this was the assignment of an honorary title in honor of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) Heroes to one of the units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Special Operations Forces.
Following the decision, former Ukrainian Presidents Leonid Kuchma, Viktor Yushchenko and Petro Poroshenko announced that they would return their Polish state awards. The same step was taken by Presidential Office chief Kyrylo Budanov, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and former Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman.
