Former Sejm deputy returns Polish award due to Nawrocki's decision regarding Zelenskyy

Former Polish Sejm deputy Piotr Fogler stated that he is symbolically returning his Golden Cross of Merit to Polish President Karol Nawrocki. In this way, he expressed protest against the Polish leader's decision to strip Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle, reports UNN citing the politician's publication on Facebook.

Details

According to him, returning the award is a gesture of protest against Nawrocki's actions and a sign of solidarity with Ukraine, which continues its fight against Russian aggression.

The former Polish parliamentarian stated that he is returning the distinction specifically to the current President of Poland, and not to the head of state who originally awarded it to him.

"I am symbolically returning this award to this president as a sign of protest against the senseless decision to strip the President of Ukraine - a Ukraine that is fighting - of the order,"

He also emphasized that his gesture is directed against the decision of the current President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki.

At the same time, we note that in Fogler's case, this is currently about his public statement regarding the symbolic return of the award. There has been no separate official confirmation from the chancellery of the President of Poland about the return of the distinction yet.

Context

Earlier, Polish President Karol Nawrocki made the decision to strip Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle - Poland's highest state decoration. He explained his decision by stating that Zelenskyy agreed to assign the name "Heroes of the UPA" to one of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

After this, Zelenskyy announced that he was returning the Order of the White Eagle to Poland. The Ukrainian side emphasized that the award was perceived as recognition of the merits not only of the president but also of the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian army.

Nawrocki's decision caused a political reaction both in Ukraine and in Poland. Some Ukrainian officials and diplomats also announced their refusal of Polish state awards or their intention to return them.

Who is Piotr Fogler

Piotr Fogler is a Polish politician, entrepreneur, and former deputy of the Polish Sejm of the first term. He served as a parliamentarian from 1991 to 1993.

Fogler received the "Golden Cross of Merit" in 2005. At that time, the award was presented to him by Polish President Aleksander Kwaśniewski for his merits in the field of local self-government.

Recall

Former Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman announced the return of the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, which he received in 2011. He made this decision as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine and President Zelenskyy.