Major EU country makes shocking Ukraine move as Zelensky speaks out | World | News

One of Ukraine’s staunchest allies in its war against Russia has made a shocking move against Volodymyr Zelensky following public outcry over the Ukrainian president’s decision. Polish President Karol Nawrocki on Friday (June 19) stripped the country of the honorary Order of the White Eagle after Zelensky decided to name a serving Ukrainian military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).

UPA, an organization that fought for the independence of Ukraine during World War II, is remembered in Poland primarily for its role in the massacre of Polish civilians in the Volyn region, one of the most painful pages in the history of two European countries. Tens of thousands of Poles were killed in present-day western Ukraine, which was then under Nazi occupation, while thousands of Ukrainians were killed in Polish retaliatory attacks. “We must not silently betray the sacrifices of our ancestors. These are graves that should not be forgotten,” Mr. Nawrocki said in a video speech. he said.

The Polish president said, “Poland has repeatedly signaled to the Ukrainian side the special importance of this issue. We have conveyed our position and expectation that the consequences of this decision in terms of relations between our countries will be re-evaluated. As a result, the attitude of the Ukrainian side has not changed.” he added.

Mr. Zelensky’s decision angered Polish politics; Officials and public figures, especially the country’s conservative political figures, widely criticized the decision. According to a poll conducted earlier this month, 52 percent of Poles said their attitude towards Ukraine and its people had worsened because Kiev changed the name of the military unit.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote in a post on channel X that the latest debate was “pleasing” [Vladimir] “It shocks Putin and our allies,” he said, calling on the Polish and Ukrainian presidents to “soften emotions rather than fueling tensions”, repeating an earlier call for an open dialogue between both sides and not allowing Moscow to take advantage of the Polish-Ukrainian dispute.

The Polish government has been campaigning for Ukraine in the European Union and is a supporter of sanctions imposed on Russia for its actions in Ukraine. He also declared that they would never recognize the annexation of Crimea by Russia.

The withdrawal of this honor sparked rapid criticism in Kiev; Ukrainian officials condemned Mr. Nawrocki amid a renewed diplomatic row between the two neighbors, whose relations have repeatedly been strained in recent years over unresolved historical grievances.

The head of the Presidential Office, Kyrylo Budanov, said in a statement on Saturday, June 20, that he gave up the Polish Golden Officer Order of Merit, which he received last year.

“I cannot stand by and watch as the wheel of hatred is irrationally and artificially turned against our citizens.” wrote on Telegram. “Ukraine will undoubtedly evaluate this incident. But despite everything, we will continue to strictly adhere to the principles of open partnership with all our allies. But a partnership with equal rights, based on the principles of mutual respect.” he added.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Bodnar also returned the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland awarded to him. He stressed that Zelensky is “a friend of Poland” and wrote on social media that the dispute benefits Moscow.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also in the name Decision “a strategic mistake” […] “Only Moscow benefits from this,” he said, adding that he rejected the Commander’s Cross Order of Merit award, which was previously given to him by former Polish President Andrzej Duda in 2022.

Mr. Zelensky and the Ukrainian Presidential Office have not yet commented on the matter.