Ukraine is currently experiencing tensions with Poland, a key ally in its efforts against Russian aggression, due to historical grievances. The conflict arises from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to honor World War II Ukrainian national fighters, which Poland views as a commemoration of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, associated with the Volhynia genocide. Following Zelensky's decree on May 26, Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced plans to revoke the Order of the White Eagle, a state award given to Zelensky in April 2023.
Nawrocki criticized the honoring of these troops as damaging to trust between the two nations. In response, Zelensky returned the award before it could be revoked, with other Ukrainian leaders following suit. Zelensky noted that Poland has not stripped awards from other controversial figures, such as former Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.
This dispute poses a risk to Ukraine's vital alliance with Poland, which has been crucial since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Poland serves as a transit point for military aid from the U.S. and Europe to Ukraine and has welcomed millions of Ukrainian refugees. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed concern that the conflict benefits Russian President Vladimir Putin and urged both leaders to de-escalate tensions.
The Ukrainian Insurgent Army, formed in 1942, initially collaborated with Nazi Germany before clashing with both German and Soviet forces. The UPA's actions during and after World War II, including attacks on Polish villages, have been labeled as genocide by the Polish Parliament, while Ukrainians refer to the events as the Polish-Ukrainian war. The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has seen high casualty rates and a near-stalemate situation, although Ukraine has recently made tactical gains against Russian supply lines.