Return of the Order: A Hard Signal from Warsaw
A serious diplomatic incident has occurred in Polish-Ukrainian relations. Former Polish Ambassador to Ukraine Bartosz Cichocki returned the Ukrainian state award "For Merit," which was presented to him in 2022 by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This decision serves as a direct response to recent steps taken by Kyiv authorities regarding the honoring of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) and has sparked a sharp debate in both countries.
Historical Context: The UPA and War Memory
The situation escalated following a decision made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week. The head of state ordered that one of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine be awarded the title "Heroes of the UPA." In his justification, Zelenskyy stated that the goal is to "restore the historical traditions of the national army" and recognize the exemplary conduct of soldiers during the defense of the country's independence.
However, for Poland, the UPA is an extremely sensitive topic. The activities of this organization during World War II cause significant controversy in Warsaw due to its responsibility for war crimes against the Polish population, particularly during the tragedies in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia.
Diplomat's Reaction and Government Stance
Bartosz Cichocki, who served as the Polish Ambassador to Ukraine from 2019 to 2023, received two awards from the Kyiv side. In June 2022, he was awarded the Order of Merit, 2nd Class, personally by President Zelenskyy, and in December of the same year, he received the Cross of Merit from the then-Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Valerii Zaluzhny.
In an official statement released to the media, Cichocki announced the return of his awards. He directly linked this decision to the actions of the President of Ukraine, "honoring the UPA and collaborators of German Nazis." At the same time, the diplomat emphasized that every Ukrainian fighting the Russian aggressor, historical false narratives, and corruption can count on his support.
Sharp Criticism from Warsaw
Zelenskyy's decision to honor the UPA provoked a sharp reaction from Polish leadership. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called this step "disturbing in terms of our relations" and pointed out that it violates "our historical sensitivity."
An even tougher stance was taken by the President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki. He stated that by glorifying the UPA, Ukraine is "mentally not ready to become part of the European community." The head of state also expressed the opinion that Volodymyr Zelenskyy should be stripped of the Order of the White Eagle, which he received in 2022.