Polish MP: Stripping Zelenskyy of order a 'moral victory'; focus on future ties needed
Polish MP Urszula Pasławska called the revocation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Order of the White Eagle a 'moral victory' but urged focus on future relations with Kyiv, especially the Ukraine recovery conference.
Urszula Pasławska, a lawmaker from the coalition Polish People's Party (PSL), stated on Polsat News that the decision to strip Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle is a 'moral victory', but Poland should now look ahead. She emphasized the need to concentrate on the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk and future relations with Kyiv.
Pasławska argued that the conference would be meaningless without Ukrainian participation and that Poland's involvement in rebuilding Ukraine is a priority, given the extensive aid provided by Polish society. Responding to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha's promise of a symmetrical response, she cautioned Poland against emotional reactions. 'As a country with more experience and a longer history of democracy in the EU, we should not let ourselves be drawn into such games. We cannot behave like Ukrainians,' she said.
She added that Ukrainians must realize such behavior does not bring them closer to the EU, and Poland will have a say in this matter. Pasławska warned that further conflicts over historical figures or unit names could deepen tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv. 'If both sides do not make efforts to overcome this conflict, we will find ourselves on a collision course, and in the long run, Poland will simply lose,' she stated.
Background: On June 19, Polish President Karol Nawrocki revoked Zelenskyy's order after a Ukrainian unit was named after UPA heroes, stating Poland would not allow EU membership for those who maintain a 'cult of totalitarianism and violence'. Several Ukrainian officials announced they would return their Polish decorations, and Zelenskyy sent the order back by mail on June 20.
