Zelensky's World War II Dispute Plays Into Putin's Hands
Summary
Poland has decided to take back its highest honor from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky because he approved naming a Ukrainian army unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a group linked to World War II massacres of Poles. This disagreement could harm relations between Poland and Ukraine and may help Russian President Vladimir Putin's efforts to paint Ukraine as connected to Nazis.Key Facts
- President Zelensky approved renaming a Ukrainian military unit to honor the UPA, a nationalist group.
- The UPA was involved in killing tens of thousands of Polish civilians during World War II.
- Poland's President Karol Nawrocki revoked Ukraine’s highest honor, the Order of the White Eagle, given previously to Zelensky.
- Poland and Ukraine have generally been close allies against Russia since the 2022 invasion.
- Poland sees the renaming as offensive but says this does not change its security policies.
- Ukraine respects the UPA as part of its fight against Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.
- Russia’s President Putin has used accusations of Nazism to justify his invasion of Ukraine.
- Polls show Polish public opinion of Ukraine and Zelensky has worsened after the renaming decision.
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