Former Polish Foreign Minister: Poland lost the exchange with Ukraine over the White Eagle order
Former Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz believes Poland has failed in its dispute with Ukraine over the naming of a unit after UPA heroes and that President Nawrocki's decision to strip Zelenskyy of the order has diminished Poland's international standing.
In an interview with Polsat News, former Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz stated that Poland lost the exchange of blows with Ukraine that began after Polish President Karol Nawrocki revoked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Order of the White Eagle. The decision was linked to the renaming of a Ukrainian military unit after UPA heroes.
Czaputowicz criticized Nawrocki's action, arguing it was ineffective because Ukraine did not change the unit's name and that the move has been widely commented on and criticized. According to him, Poland gained nothing from this situation and its international standing has significantly declined. He emphasized that Poland is now perceived as a country that obstructs reaching an agreement and may not be invited to participate in decisions concerning Ukraine.
The former minister acknowledged that naming the Ukrainian unit after UPA heroes is painful for Poland, but added that other diplomatic measures should have been used, such as a serious diplomatic note, summoning the ambassador, or a Sejm resolution, rather than revoking an order, which touches on issues of honor.
Czaputowicz concluded that Ukraine emerged victorious because it retained the unit's name, returned the orders (not only Zelenskyy but also other officials), and put Poland in a difficult position. He also highlighted uncertainty about Zelenskyy's attendance at the Ukraine reconstruction conference in Gdańsk, warning that if Zelenskyy does not come, it would be a humiliation for Poland.
It is worth recalling that on June 19, Nawrocki decided to strip Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle due to the naming of a Ukrainian unit after UPA heroes. Several Ukrainian officials announced they would return their Polish awards, and on June 20, Zelenskyy stated he had sent the order back to Nawrocki by mail.
