Polish Official Strips Zelenskyy of Order of the White Eagle

Karol Nawrocki, identified by the source as the Polish leader, announced on June 19 evening in a nearly 13-minute statement on social media platform X that he decided to strip Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle.

Nawrocki emphasized that the order is not an ordinary award but a symbol of the highest trust from Poland, signifying a special bond with the Polish state and the gratitude of its people. He stated: "Such a symbol requires not only merits but also respect for the values that form the foundation of our community."

The decision was based on Zelenskyy's consent to name one of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine after "Heroes of the UPA" (Ukrainian Insurgent Army). After consultations with the chapter, Nawrocki decided to revoke the order.

However, Nawrocki stressed that the decision is not directed against the Ukrainian people and does not mean a change in the strategic direction of Polish security policy. He reaffirmed: "We have supported and continue to support Ukraine because we know that Russian aggression poses a threat to the security of Poland and all of Europe. Nothing has changed in this assessment. Russia is the aggressor, and Putin is a criminal responsible for starting a war that has become the largest armed conflict in Europe since the end of World War II."

This action has drawn significant attention given the high status of the order and the importance of bilateral relations.