Groysman Returns Polish Award in Solidarity with Ukraine

Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman announced he has returned the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, which he received in 2011 while serving as mayor of Vinnytsia. The award was given for developing regional cooperation with Polish cities.

"I am returning the award as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine and President Zelenskyy. Not out of offense to the Polish people, but with deep respect and gratitude for years of support, for millions of Poles who opened their hearts and homes to our people after February 24," Groysman wrote on Facebook.

He noted that the past can be viewed differently, which is normal between neighbors with such a deep and complex shared history, but the past cannot be more precious than a common future. "There are things beyond debate: a war is ongoing. The real enemy is Russia. As long as this war continues, we cannot afford disputes about the past. That is exactly what Moscow wants: for Warsaw and Kyiv to look backward, not forward," Groysman stated.

"Ukraine and Poland are strategic allies. Not because it is written in declarations, but because our security, our freedom, our place in Europe are indivisible," he added.

This move follows Vinnytsia Mayor Serhiy Morhunov's recent decision to withdraw a request to transfer buses to the Polish city of Kielce amid historical disputes. Meanwhile, the Law and Justice party faction in Kielce's city council submitted a resolution urging the Vinnytsia mayor to rename a street named after Stepan Bandera, but the vote failed. Subsequently, Polish activists launched a fundraiser to purchase buses for Vinnytsia and collected the necessary amount.