Navrotsky explained why he took away Zelenskyy's Order of the White Eagle

President of Poland Karol Nawrocki stated that he decided to strip Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle due to actions that, in his opinion, exceeded the "pain threshold" for Polish society. He said this during events for the National Day of the Silesian Uprisings, reports UNN citing TVN24.

Details

Nawrocki emphasized that Poles well understand what war, the struggle for independence, and the Russian threat are, as they themselves have a similar historical experience.

We, Poles, do not need to be taught what war is

He recalled that in the 20th century, Poland was under the rule of other states for a long time and was also a victim of Nazi and Soviet totalitarianism.

President of Poland stated the "exceeded pain threshold"

According to Nawrocki, support for Ukraine in the war against Russia does not mean abandoning the Polish vision of historical issues.

Yes, we know what war is, we know what the struggle for independence is, we know what the post-Soviet, and now Russian, threat is, but we are a proud Polish nation, and we have a pain threshold when it comes to issues that concern us and our allies

The Polish side links the scandal to the awarding of an honorary name to one of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in honor of the UPA soldiers.

And this pain threshold was exceeded, that is why I stripped President Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle

Recall

President of Poland Karol Nawrocki decided to strip Ukrainian President 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 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to award the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces unit the name "Heroes of the UPA".

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave one of the units of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine the name "Heroes of the UPA" at the end of May.

The Order of the White Eagle was awarded to Volodymyr Zelenskyy in 2023 by the then President of Poland Andrzej Duda.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha called the decision to strip the Ukrainian President 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 Office of the President commented on the decision of Polish President Karol Nawrocki to strip Ukrainian President 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," added that Ukraine will assess this event, and refused his own Polish award. 

Ambassador of Ukraine to Poland Vasyl Bodnar stated that he is returning the Polish award amid the decision of Polish President Karol Nawrocki to strip Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Polish Order of the White Eagle, while the diplomat called for "a frank conversation."