Full Breakdown
Poland-Ukraine Diplomatic Rift Over Revoked Order of the White Eagle
6/24/2026, 4:13:10 AM
Revocation of Poland’s Highest Honor
On 19 June 2026 Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced the withdrawal of the Order of the White Eagle from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The decision followed Zelenskyy’s May 26 decree naming a Special Operations Forces unit “Heroes of the UPA,” honouring the World-War-II-era Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). The order had been conferred by former President Andrzej Duda in 2023 for Zelenskyy’s support of Polish-Ukrainian security cooperation.
Historical Roots of the UPA Controversy
Poland regards the UPA as responsible for the Volhynia massacres (1943-45), in which ? 100 000 Polish civilians were killed; the Polish parliament declared these acts a genocide in 2016. Ukraine disputes the genocide label, emphasizing the UPA’s anti-Soviet resistance and noting that both sides suffered civilian casualties during the conflict.
Timeline of Key Moves
- May 2026 – Zelenskyy signs decree naming the unit after the UPA.
- 19 June – Nawrocki revokes the Order of the White Eagle.
- 20 June – Zelenskyy returns the medal by post; three former Ukrainian presidents (Leonid Kuchma, Viktor Yushchenko, Petro Poroshenko) and senior officials renounce their own Polish decorations.
- 23 June – Ukraine’s delegation to the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Gdansk is led by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko; Zelenskyy cancels his attendance.
- Late June – Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urges de-escalation, warning that the row benefits Russia.
Political Stakes and Public Opinion
Polls released after the revocation show 51 % of Poles supporting the decision, with 80 % of Nawrocki’s base in favour, while only 36 % oppose it. A separate survey found 58 % of respondents view Zelenskyy as unfriendly toward Poland. The dispute threatens Poland’s role in the upcoming URC, Ukraine’s reconstruction contracts, and may influence Poland’s stance on Ukraine’s EU accession chapters, which Warsaw has hinted could proceed only on a “salami” schedule.
Official Statements & Responses
- Donald Tusk (Prime Minister, Poland) described the clash as a “strategic mistake” that harms business, geopolitics and reputation, and warned it “delights Putin.”
- Karol Nawrocki framed the revocation as a defence of historical memory, stating that the UPA “hurts the memory of Polish victims” and that Poland will not permit EU membership for those who ignore the issue.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy affirmed gratitude for Polish support, returned the order, and pledged openness to dialogue to avoid “misinterpretations of the complex and painful pages of our peoples’ past.”
- Ukrainian officials Kyrylo Budanov and Andrii Sybiga labelled the revocation a “gift to the Moscow aggressor” and a “strategic mistake” benefiting Russia.
- Radoslaw Sikorski (Polish Foreign Minister) warned that politicising the UPA “undermines historical reconciliation” and could be exploited by Russian propaganda.
Criticism & Opposition
Opponents in Poland argue that revoking a state honor—rarely done since the 1932 case of Wincenty Witos—undermines the long-standing alliance with Kyiv and plays into Kremlin interests. Ukrainian commentators contend that Nawrocki’s move is driven by domestic electoral calculations ahead of the 2027 parliamentary election, echoing Zelenskyy’s comparison to former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on casualty figures: some describe the UPA killings as “tens of thousands” of Poles, while others cite “around 100 000.” Both figures appear in the source set, and the article notes the discrepancy without selecting a definitive number.
Verbatim Quotes
- “getting entangled in the political conflict between politicians in Poland and Ukraine is a strategic mistake that will cost both sides: in business, geopolitically, and reputationally.” — Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of 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,” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
- “For the majority of Polish society, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army remains above all a formation responsible for cruel crimes against the citizens of the Polish Republic during World War II,” — Karol Nawrocki, President of Poland
- “This is a gift to the Moscow aggressor, who will certainly use it against both of our countries,” — Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of Staff of the Ukrainian Presidential Office
- “I have no other choice today but to refuse the high Polish order,” — Leonid Kuchma, former President of Ukraine
- “Polish Minister for Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski previously warned that such moves undermine historical reconciliation and could be exploited by Russian propaganda.” — Radoslaw Sikorski, Foreign Minister of Poland
What’s Next
The URC proceeds without Zelenskyy, while Poland’s government negotiates the format of the event and its own participation. Polish officials signal a cautious approach to Ukraine’s EU accession, suggesting a staggered opening of chapters. Both sides continue diplomatic contacts to prevent further escalation, as EU and NATO observers warn that the dispute serves Russian strategic interests.
