In Kyiv, as part of the solemn events dedicated to the Day of Ukrainian Statehood and the Baptism of Rus, a ceremony was held to present the country's first new state award. The honorary guest and the first recipient of the Order of Europe was the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
The initiative to create this new distinction came from the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The corresponding decree was signed by the head of state immediately after the Verkhovna Rada supported the bill introducing the award. According to the text of the decree, the Order of Europe is awarded to both Ukrainian citizens and foreigners for their merits in supporting European integration, strengthening international cooperation, and contributing to the defense of the state's independence and security.
While presenting the award to the head of the European Commission, Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the unwavering commitments of Kyiv. "This is an award that no one can cancel or revoke, because the word of Ukraine is firm," the Ukrainian leader stated. These words came in the context of a recent diplomatic incident with Poland, where President Karol Nawrocki stripped Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle due to a decision to assign an honorary name to one of the military units. In response, Kyiv returned the Polish distinction to Warsaw.
The situation between the leaders of the two countries was partially de-escalated on July 8, when the presidents met at the NATO summit in Ankara. According to Zelenskyy's advisor Dmytro Litvin, the conversation between the leaders was lengthy and productive. Nevertheless, the creation of a proprietary order that cannot be revoked has become an important political signal in the current geopolitical conditions.
