There is no internal struggle in Poland - Nawrocki responded to Zelenskyy

President of Poland Karol Nawrocki responded to his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding statements about internal political struggle in Polish society over the decision to strip Ukraine of the Order of the White Eagle. This is reported by UNN citing Polsat News.

Details

According to Nawrocki, the Polish side categorically rejects the "red-and-black Bandera flag," and the discussion lies solely in the realm of differing perceptions of history.

Volodymyr, dear Mr. President, the dispute does not concern Poland's internal affairs at all. They do not exist because all Poles know and understand how much harm was done to Poles, Polish children, by Ukrainian nationalists. President Zelenskyy is mistaken

He added that Polish society and politicians are "absolutely united in condemning the actions of Ukrainian nationalists during World War II, and there is no internal conflict here."

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 the decision of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to name a Ukrainian Special Operations Forces unit after the "Heroes of the UPA."

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy granted one of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine's Special Operations Forces 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 then-President of Poland Andrzej Duda.

Zelenskyy sent the Order of the White Eagle back to the President of Poland via "Nova Poshta."

In a show of support and solidarity with the Ukrainian leader, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Poland, Vasyl Bodnar, returned the Knight's Cross of the Order "For Merits to the Republic of Poland."

At the same time, the 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 "For Merits to 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 renounced the high Polish award. 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 renounced the highest Polish order. He called Nawrocki's decision erroneous and harmful to Ukrainian-Polish relations.

Reminder

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he does not intend to cancel the honorary name "Heroes of the UPA" assigned to one of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, despite the decision of President of Poland Karol Nawrocki to strip him of the Order of the White Eagle.