Nawrocki Moves to Strip Zelensky of Poland's Highest Honor

Polish President Karol Nawrocki has said he wants to initiate the process of stripping Volodymyr Zelensky of Poland's highest state decoration, according to Politico.

He is responding to the Ukrainian president's decision to name a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), an organization associated in Poland with the wartime massacre of Polish civilians.

The Ukrainian move has sparked outrage among politicians across both the government and the opposition. Both the Law and Justice Party and former President Lech Walesa have voiced criticism.

Despite Nawrocki's strong reaction, Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that disputes over historical issues should not escalate into a wider conflict between the two allies. In his view, a weakening of Polish-Ukrainian relations could be exploited by Russia.

(mja)