Groysman returned Polish order in solidarity with Zelenskyy and Ukraine
Kyiv • UNN
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.
Former Prime Minister of Ukraine, ex-mayor of Vinnytsia Volodymyr Groysman said he is returning the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, which he received in 2011 for developing regional cooperation with Polish cities. According to him, this decision is personal and he made it as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The politician wrote on his Telegram channel, reports UNN.
Details
Groysman recalled that he received the Polish state award in 2011, when he served as mayor of Vinnytsia. The order was awarded to him for developing regional cooperation with Polish cities.
In 2011, as mayor of Vinnytsia, I received the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland for developing regional cooperation with Polish cities. This award is personal to me. That is why the decision to return it is also personal
He emphasized that returning the order is not an expression of resentment towards the Polish people. On the contrary, Groysman stressed his respect for Poles and gratitude for the support that Poland has provided to Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.
I am returning the order as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine and President Zelenskyy. Not out of resentment towards the Polish people, but with deep respect for them and gratitude for all the years of support, for the millions of Poles who opened their hearts and homes to our people after February 24
Groysman emphasized that Ukraine and Poland share a complex common history, but disputes over the past should not destroy the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Every nation has the right to its own history and its own heroes. This right is sacred - for both Ukraine and Poland. We may view the past differently, and that is normal between neighbors with such a deep and complex shared destiny. But the past cannot be more valuable than the common future
He stressed that currently the main threat to Ukraine and Europe remains Russia, and disputes between Kyiv and Warsaw only play into Moscow's hands.
There is something that is not up for debate: there is a war going on today. The real enemy is Russia. And as long as this war continues, we cannot afford disputes about the past. This is exactly what Moscow wants: for Warsaw and Kyiv to look not forward, but backward
Groysman also quoted former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill: "If you quarrel with the past, you will lose the future."
According to the politician, Ukraine and Poland remain strategic allies not only at the level of official declarations, but also through shared security interests and a future in Europe.
Ukraine and Poland are strategic allies. Not because it is written in declarations. But because our security, our freedom, our place in Europe are indivisible. My order is being returned. But my respect for the Polish people remains
Context
President of Poland Karol Nawrocki decided to strip President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle and emphasized that there are limits in Polish-Ukrainian relations that cannot be crossed.
The decision was made after Nawrocki stated that he is critical of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to name a Ukrainian Special Operations Forces unit after the "Heroes of the UPA."
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave one of the units of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine the name "after the Heroes of the UPA" at the end of May.
The Order of the White Eagle was awarded to Volodymyr Zelenskyy in 2023 by then-President of Poland Andrzej Duda.
Which Ukrainian politicians have refused Polish high awards in support of Zelenskyy
The Office of the President commented on the decision of Polish President Karol Nawrocki to strip President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the previously awarded Polish Order of the White Eagle. Head of the OP Kyrylo Budanov called it a "gift for the Moscow aggressor," adding that Ukraine will assess this event, and refused his own Polish award.
Ambassador of Ukraine to Poland Vasyl Bodnar stated that he is returning a Polish award amid the decision of Polish President Karol Nawrocki to strip President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Polish Order of the White Eagle; the diplomat also called for "a frank conversation."
As a sign of support and solidarity with the Ukrainian leader, Ambassador of Ukraine to Poland Vasyl Bodnar returned the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland.
At the same time, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha called the decision to strip the President of Ukraine of the Order of the White Eagle a strategic mistake by the President of Poland and added that he would return his Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland.
The conflict situation was also commented on by the second President of Ukraine, Leonid Kuchma. He also returned his Order of the White Eagle and called for not placing the past above the future in relations between Ukraine and Poland.
His example was followed by the third President of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko. He also refused the high Polish distinction. Yushchenko believes that the decision to strip the current head of state of the order affects the entire Ukrainian people.
Following Yushchenko and Kuchma, the fifth President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, also refused Poland's highest order. He called Nawrocki's decision erroneous and harmful to Ukrainian-Polish relations.
What you need to know about the Order of the White Eagle
This is the highest award of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and later Poland. One of the oldest Polish awards. It is awarded to the most distinguished Poles for their merits, and sometimes to heads of foreign states.
The insignia is attached to a blue ribbon worn over the left shoulder to the right side. The Order's star, formerly embroidered, is worn on the left side of the chest. Unlike other high Polish awards, the Order of the White Eagle does not have different degrees or crosses.
The order was established on November 1, 1705, by King of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Augustus the Strong.
Until 2026, the only precedent for being stripped of the order was Polish politician Wincenty Witos. He received the order in 1921 but lost it automatically as a result of criminal proceedings.