Zelenskyy meets Nawrocki for first time after Order of White Eagle controversy
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Karol Nawrocki (Getty Images)
On Wednesday, July 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Polish President Karol Nawrocki held their first meeting since the controversy surrounding the Order of the White Eagle during the NATO summit in Ankara, this was disclosed to journalists by presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn.
"We just wrapped up. (It) was a lengthy meeting," he said.
According to Lytvyn, members of the Ukrainian president's team were also present during the talks between Zelenskyy and Nawrocki.
He added that, according to the president, he and the Polish leader "had a fairly deep and substantive discussion and covered everything that needed to be discussed."
"I met with Polish President Karol Nawrocki. It was an important and necessary conversation, and we spoke for more than an hour. We face one common threat: Russia. It is very important to maintain mutual understanding, support one another, and act in unity," the president stressed.
Zelenskyy said that Ukraine and Poland need strong bilateral relations and added that he and Nawrocki had agreed to continue their dialogue.
Earlier today, Nawrocki stated that Poland and Ukraine should maintain dialogue despite historical disputes because the two countries share a common enemy — Russia.
At the same time, the Polish president emphasized that his views on historical issues remain unchanged. According to him, "Poland and all of Europe" cannot accept the glorification of fighters from the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).
On June 19, Nawrocki stripped Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle, Poland's highest state distinction awarded for exceptional civilian and military service.
Warsaw said the decision was prompted by the naming of a Ukrainian military unit after UPA heroes. Polish officials argued that the move sparked outrage due to the historical sensitivity of the issue.
The Chancellery of Karol Nawrocki also criticized the Ukrainian president's initiative to establish a National Pantheon, saying the proposed legislation had an "escalatory character."
In addition, Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said that Warsaw would not support Ukraine's accession to the European Union if Ukrainian authorities continued to honor certain historical figures.
