Zelensky Mails Order of the White Eagle Back to Nawrocki

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has returned the Order of the White Eagle, Poland's highest state honor, to Poland. He mailed the award to the Office of the President of the Republic of Poland after Polish President Karol Nawrocki decided to revoke it.

Zelensky posted a photo from a Nova Poshta branch and said in a statement that the Order of the White Eagle is a symbol of Poland's highest trust.

He noted that if the award can remain with figures such as Catherine II, Benito Mussolini and Gerhard Schröder, Ukraine would not dispute that.

Zelensky also thanked the Polish people for their support in the fight against Russian aggression and said he was convinced that cooperation among the countries of the region is an important guarantee of security. He added that Kyiv remains open to dialogue with Poland on sensitive historical issues.

Nawrocki revoked Zelensky's award over the naming of a Ukrainian unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), which he says is responsible for the Volhynia massacre, the deportation of Jews and violence during World War II. He also criticized what he called a cult of totalitarianism and violence in Ukraine.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed regret over the deepening dispute between the two countries and warned that Russia stands to benefit from the tensions.

(est, ua pravda)