Zelenskyy sends Poland's highest honor back by mail after being stripped of award
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: facebook.com/zelenskyy.official)
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has returned the Order of the White Eagle to Poland after President Karol Nawrocki revoked the award from him.
"Yesterday, the President of Poland noted that the Order of the White Eagle is not an ordinary award. It is a symbol of the highest trust of the Republic of Poland. It signifies a special bond with the Polish state and the special gratitude of the Polish People. Such a symbol requires not only merit, but also respect for the values that form the foundation of our community," Zelenskyy wrote on X.
He noted that if it is considered acceptable for this special symbol to remain associated with Catherine II, Benito Mussolini, and Gerhard Schröder, then Ukraine will not dispute it. Therefore, Zelenskyy returned the award to Poland.
"We believed that the Order of the White Eagle, awarded in 2023, was meant for the Ukrainian People and our army. That is what was said at the time. Today, I sent the Order back to the President of Poland," the Ukrainian leader said.
At the same time, Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is grateful to the Polish people for their support and cooperation, which plays an important role in the struggle "for our and your independence."
"Ukraine never forgets solidarity and understands that cooperation between states and peoples in our region is one of the tangible security guarantees for Ukrainians and for each neighboring state," the statement reads.
The president also said that Ukraine will remain open to all meaningful formats of cooperation with Poland in order to avoid "conflicting interpretations of the difficult and painful chapters of our shared past and to ensure proper respect for all innocent victims of the 20th century."
Zelenskyy stressed that Ukrainians are doing everything in their power to prevent Europe from losing in this century. He also said Ukraine will continue to defend itself in the war waged by Russia.
"We will undoubtedly achieve a dignified peace. Ukraine is grateful to all peoples, states, and leaders who will continue to stand with us in the defense of freedom and who, together with Ukraine, will serve as guarantors of postwar peace in Europe and a new, real security," the head of state added.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy returns Poland's highest state award—the Order of the White Eagle—to Karol Nawrocki by mail
(photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/19563?single)
Volodymyr Zelenskyy returns Poland's highest state award—the Order of the White Eagle—to Karol Nawrocki by mail
(photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/19563?single)
In conclusion, he added that he is proud of Ukrainians and every Ukrainian soldier, and expressed the view that the future will confirm respect for Ukrainians.
Background
Earlier, on June 19, Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Poland's highest state award—the Order of the White Eagle.
The decision was linked to a series of diplomatic disputes between Ukraine and Poland over historical issues. However, the main factor was Zelenskyy's decree awarding an honorary designation "named after Ukrainian Insurgent Army heroes" to one of the Ukrainian military units.
Today, June 20, Presidential Office head Kyrylo Budanov said he was refusing the Gold Officer's Cross of the Order "For Merit to Poland," which he was awarded by the Polish president last year.
