Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not yet determined his participation in the International Conference on the Reconstruction of Ukraine, scheduled for June 25–26 in Gdansk, Poland. This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andriy Sybiha, during a televised address.

According to the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the final decision will be made after a detailed analysis of the situation. On Monday, June 22, the President will be presented with a report outlining the level of readiness for the event, the possible consequences of various scenarios, and the conditions for holding the conference.

"Based on the results of this, the President will make a decision on participation," Sybiha emphasized.

Against the backdrop of a diplomatic crisis

The decision regarding Zelenskyy's trip is being made against the backdrop of a serious cooling of relations between Kyiv and Warsaw. Earlier, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk hinted that, despite existing disagreements, he expects the Ukrainian leader in Gdansk. However, the political atmosphere remains tense.

The trigger for the current crisis was the decree of the President of Ukraine awarding the Separate Special Operations Center "North" of the SSO the honorary title "named after the Heroes of the UPA". In Poland, the activities of the UPA are inextricably linked to the Volhynian tragedy and are viewed as a genocide of the Polish people. This decision provoked an official protest from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland and a wide wave of outrage in the country's political establishment.

The response was the decision by the President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, to deprive Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the highest state award — the Order of the White Eagle.

Wave of refusals of awards

The situation has escalated into a symbolic exchange of gestures. The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andriy Sybiha, announced his refusal of the Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Merit for Poland, which he received in October 2022.

Other high-ranking Ukrainian officials followed the minister's example:

  • Head of the President's Office Kyrylo Budanov refused the Golden Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit for Poland.
  • Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Bodnar announced his intention to return the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit for the Republic of Poland.
  • Former Presidents of Ukraine also refused Polish awards: Leonid Kuchma, Viktor Yushchenko, and Petro Poroshenko.

Under these conditions, the question of whether Zelenskyy's visit to Poland will take place becomes not just a matter of logistics, but a complex diplomatic choice that will depend on the assessment of risks and potential benefits of participating in the conference.