Zelenskyy returns Poland's highest honor after Polish leader revokes it in a spat over history
Summary
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy returned Poland’s highest state honor after the Polish president took it away. This happened because Zelenskyy named a Ukrainian military unit after a group accused of killing Poles during World War II, causing tension between the two countries.Key Facts
- Poland revoked the Order of the White Eagle, its top honor, from Zelenskyy over his naming of a Ukrainian military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).
- The UPA is accused by many Poles of committing mass killings of Polish civilians in World War II.
- Zelenskyy explained he returned the award to show respect for the Ukrainian people and their army.
- The decision by Poland’s president Karol Nawrocki has been linked to political reasons and nationalist views.
- Poland remains a strong supporter of Ukraine against Russia despite the dispute.
- Ukrainian officials called Poland’s move unfriendly and said Russia could exploit the tension.
- Some Ukrainian officials also decided to return Polish state honors in protest.
- Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged calm and called on both countries to resolve differences peacefully.
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