Kuchma Renounces Polish Order of the White Eagle After Zelenskyy Stripped of Award
Former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma has announced he is renouncing the Order of the White Eagle, awarded to him in 1997, in protest of Poland's decision to revoke the same decoration from current President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Leonid Kuchma, Ukraine's second president, has decided to give up the Polish Order of the White Eagle, according to a statement released by his press secretary Darka Olifer. The move comes as a direct response to Polish President Karol Nawrocki's decision to strip incumbent Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the same honor.
In his statement, Kuchma said: "In connection with the decision of Polish President Karol Nawrocki to deprive Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Polish Order of the White Eagle, I have decided to renounce this order, which I had the honor to be awarded in 1997."
The Order of the White Eagle is one of Poland's highest state decorations. The revocation of Zelenskyy's award is an unprecedented move that has caused diplomatic tension. Kuchma's renunciation is seen as a gesture of solidarity with Zelenskyy and a protest against Warsaw's action.
The reasons behind Nawrocki's decision to strip Zelenskyy of the award have not been officially disclosed. However, Kuchma's refusal to retain the honor adds to the growing controversy surrounding the matter.
