Row between Poland and Ukraine over medals intensifies

Poland and Ukraine's Medal Dispute Escalates

Row between Poland and Ukraine over - The recent controversy surrounding the awarding of honors between Poland and Ukraine has deepened, as several high-ranking officials from Kyiv have returned medals granted by Warsaw. This comes after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was stripped of Ukraine’s top state honor, the Order of the White Eagle, by Poland’s far-right leader Karol Nawrocki. The dispute has sparked debates over historical narratives and national pride, with both nations expressing their positions in public statements and social media posts.

Historical Tensions and the UPA Connection

At the heart of the conflict lies the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, or UPA, a guerrilla force established in 1942 as the military arm of the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN-B). Operating in north-western Ukraine, the UPA fought against both German and Soviet forces during World War Two, but its actions also led to violent clashes with Polish civilians, particularly in the Volhynia region. These events have long been a point of contention, with Poland viewing the UPA as a key player in the ethnic cleansing of Poles during the war. Zelenskyy’s recent decision to rename a Ukrainian military unit after the UPA has reignited these historical grievances.

On 27 May, Zelenskyy signed a decree rechristening the Independent Special Operations Centre “North” as the “Heroes of the UPA.” He justified the move as a way to honor Ukraine’s national heritage and recognize the bravery of the UPA in defending the country’s independence. However, this gesture has been met with criticism in Poland, where the UPA’s role in wartime violence is seen as a symbol of resistance against Soviet rule, not always aligned with Polish interests.

Retaliation and Reactions

Nawrocki, Poland’s president, reacted swiftly to Zelenskyy’s decision by revoking the Order of the White Eagle. In a Friday statement, he lamented the move, calling it a blow to inter-national relations. “This is not how you build relations between nations,” he said, while accusing the Polish president of giving “a lot of oxygen for disinformation” to Russian propaganda. The decision has been particularly sensitive in Poland, where the UPA’s history is often linked to the country’s wartime struggles.

As a response, Zelenskyy announced on Saturday that he had sent the Order back to Poland, sharing a photo of the medal being packaged for shipment. “We believed the Order of the White Eagle, awarded in 2023, was meant for the Ukrainian People and our army,” he wrote in a social media post. He also expressed gratitude toward the Polish people for their support and collaboration during the ongoing conflict. Despite this, Nawrocki has maintained that his action was not an attack on Ukraine but a clear stance against the glorification of the UPA.

“We believed that the Order of the White Eagle, awarded in 2023, was meant for the Ukrainian People and our army,” Zelenskyy wrote, adding that Ukraine was “grateful to the Polish People for their support and cooperation.”

Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, was among the first to return a medal, relinquishing the Commander’s Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, which he received in 2022. The head of the Office of the Ukrainian President, Kyrylo Budanov, and the country’s ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Bodnar, followed suit, giving up their Officer’s Crosses of the Order of Merit. Notably, the second, third, and fifth presidents of independent Ukraine—Leonid Kuchma (1994–2004), Viktor Yushchenko (2005–2010), and Petro Poroshenko (2014–2019)—also returned their own Order of the White Eagle awards.

Poroshenko clarified that his decision was a direct reaction to Nawrocki’s move, emphasizing it was not aimed at the Polish people. Yushchenko, meanwhile, framed his actions as solidarity with Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian military, condemning Nawrocki’s choice as “irresponsible.” These responses highlight the differing perspectives within Ukraine, with some officials seeing the gesture as a necessary step to honor historical figures, while others worry about straining relations with Poland.

Poland’s Position and the Broader Implications

Poland’s Foreign Minister, Radosław Sikorski, has argued that the conflict over medals is a strategic opportunity for Russia. “Given the historical context, only Russia could profit from a Polish-Ukrainian dispute,” he stated, citing a remark from journalist Witold Jurasz of the newspaper *Onet*. Sikorski noted that Nawrocki’s actions, while politically motivated, could be used by Moscow to undermine the alliance between Poland and Ukraine. This perspective has led to concerns that the dispute might weaken the support Poland has provided to Kyiv since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Poland has been a critical ally to Ukraine, hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees and acting as a logistical hub for Western aid. Despite this, the recent actions have tested the partnership. Nawrocki, however, has defended his stance, insisting that the move was a necessary step to correct historical injustices. “We have to remember the sacrifices made by the Polish people during the war,” he said in a press conference on Friday.

“This is not how you build relations between nations,” Nawrocki said on Friday, adding that glorifying the UPA gave Russian propaganda “a lot of oxygen for disinformation.”

Meanwhile, Donald Tusk, Poland’s Prime Minister and a vocal critic of Nawrocki’s policies, has called for reconciliation. In a statement, he acknowledged Zelenskyy’s efforts to mend ties, noting the Ukrainian leader had assured him the decision was not intended to offend Poles. “Let’s not let history ruin our future,” Tusk urged, emphasizing the importance of maintaining solidarity between the two nations.

Reflecting on the Conflict

The dispute underscores the complex interplay between historical memory and contemporary politics. For Poland, the UPA’s actions during World War Two remain a defining chapter in its national narrative, while Ukraine seeks to integrate the group into its own historical identity. This tension has forced both countries to re-examine their diplomatic strategies and the symbolic value of honors.

As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the conflict will lead to a deeper rift or serve as a catalyst for renewed dialogue. The medals at stake are not just symbols of recognition but also representations of historical interpretations. For now, the exchange of honors continues to reflect the broader geopolitical currents shaping the relationship between two neighboring nations with deep and often conflicting histories.

With the stakes high, both sides are navigating a delicate balance between honoring their past and securing their future. As Zelenskyy’s team prepares to send back their medals, the question of whether this gesture will strengthen or weaken the alliance remains a subject of intense debate. The outcome could have far-reaching implications, not only for bilateral relations but also for the narrative of resistance and cooperation that has defined the war effort in Ukraine.

In the end, the conflict over medals is a microcosm of larger ideological and historical divides. As Poland and Ukraine continue to exchange accusations, their mutual respect for each other’s contributions to the war effort will be tested. Yet, the willingness of officials to return honors—whether as a sign of compromise or defiance—suggests that the relationship, though strained, is far from irreparable.