Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced on Friday his intention to revoke Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's Order of the White Eagle, Poland's highest state honor. This decision follows Ukraine's naming of a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a group involved in historical conflicts that resulted in significant Polish casualties during World War II.
On Tuesday, Zelensky issued a decree designating the Separate Special Operations Center North as 'Heroes of the UPA.' The UPA, formed in 1942, conducted guerrilla warfare against Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union but is also associated with massacres of Polish civilians, with estimates of the death toll reaching up to 100,000.
Nawrocki stated that glorifying the UPA has fueled Russian propaganda efforts. He plans to discuss the matter with the Order of the White Eagle chapter during its meeting on June 8. Zelensky received the Order of the White Eagle in 2025 for fostering relations between Poland and Ukraine.
Historical tensions between Poland and Ukraine have been exacerbated by differing narratives regarding World War II. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has criticized Ukraine's stance on the UPA.
Poland has been a strong supporter of Ukraine during the ongoing conflict with Russia, contributing nearly 5% of its GDP to aid Ukraine and hosting a NATO logistics hub.
Polish spokesman Maciej Wewior remarked that Zelensky's actions hurt the memory of UPA victims and disrupt dialogue between the two nations. Former Polish President Lech Walesa expressed his continued support for Ukraine but indicated he would not support Zelensky. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized the need for both nations to focus on the future rather than past grievances.