Ukraine's second president renounces Polish Order of the White Eagle

Leonid Kuchma, Ukraine's second president, has announced his decision to renounce the Polish Order of the White Eagle. The move comes after Polish President Karol Nawrocki revoked the award from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Kuchma's statement was released by Darka Olifer, the press secretary of his foundation.

Kuchma noted that throughout his presidency, he considered building friendly relations with Poland as one of his key priorities. Together with his counterpart Aleksander Kwaśniewski, they made great efforts to achieve this, paying particular attention to resolving historical issues between their peoples. This resulted in a joint statement on reconciliation in 2003. "We forgive and ask for forgiveness – that is the principle that President Kwaśniewski and I developed under the spiritual mediation of a great Pole, Pope John Paul II," Kuchma said.

He added that over decades, this principle worked, and genuine friendship between Ukraine and Poland became a reality. This was confirmed by the invaluable assistance Poland provided to Ukraine from the first hours of Russia's full-scale invasion. "And I am convinced that the present unfriendly step by President Nawrocki cannot undo all of this. But today I have no other choice but to renounce the high Polish order. Ukraine did not enter the fight against Russia, which justified its invasion with historical claims, for other countries to dictate our history now and decide whom we should honour," Kuchma stated.

He expressed confidence that friendly and allied relations between Ukraine and Poland would be preserved, but stressed that he feels sadness and concern. "It's one thing when an enemy attacks. It is quite another when enmity drives friends apart. And it is even worse if those friends are also facing a common threat. We should remember history. But the past cannot be more important than the future," Kuchma said.

All presidents of independent Ukraine except the pro-Russian Viktor Yanukovych had been awarded the Order of the White Eagle, Poland's highest state decoration.