Polish-Ukrainian relations are once again on the brink. Poland's new president, Karol Navrotskyi, has publicly declared his intention to strip Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the country's highest state award—the Order of the White Eagle. The trigger for this drastic move was the recent decision by the Ukrainian leader to name an elite unit of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) after the Heroes of the UPA.
Political Ultimatum in Warsaw
Navrotskyi did not mince words. According to him, the issue of revoking the award from the Ukrainian president will be raised at the order's chapter meeting on June 8. As the Polish leader noted, naming Ukrainian troops after the UPA has become "excellent material for Russian propaganda," providing Moscow with additional arguments for manipulation. Navrotskyi called this decision extremely critical for bilateral relations.
Historical Context and Diplomatic Scandal
The Order of the White Eagle was awarded to Zelenskyy in April 2023 by then-Polish President Andrzej Duda. At that time, the award symbolized close partnership between the two countries during wartime. Now, against the backdrop of a new political course in Warsaw, this symbol of friendship may be annulled.
Kyiv's decision to rename the Separate Special Operations Center "North" was motivated by the need to restore historical traditions and recognize the unit's merits in defending Ukraine's independence. However, in Warsaw, this was perceived painfully. Poland's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marcin Bosacki, personally met with Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Bodnar to express an official protest and explain that such a step hurts Polish national feelings.
Consequences for the Alliance
The scandal surrounding the UPA only exacerbates an already tense atmosphere. Recently, there has been a noticeable deterioration in the attitude of Polish society toward Ukraine. Diplomatic frictions, historical disputes, and mutual grievances create risks for the strategic partnership, which is so important in current geopolitical conditions. Now, the whole world awaits how exactly Navrotskyi will implement his threat and what consequences this conflict will lead to.
