Poland Considers Revoking Zelensky’s Top Honor Over Controversial UPA Army Unit Recognition

Poland is considering revoking one of its highest state honors awarded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after a controversial decision by Ukraine to rename a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a nationalist force linked to the massacre of tens of thousands of Poles during World War II.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced that he wants the Chapter of the Order of the White Eagle, the body responsible for overseeing Poland’s most prestigious decoration, to discuss whether Zelensky should be stripped of the award. The advisory council is scheduled to meet on June 8 to review the matter.

The dispute emerged after Zelensky signed a decree recognizing a Ukrainian special forces unit by naming it after the UPA. While many Ukrainians view the UPA as a symbol of resistance against both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, the organization remains highly controversial in Poland because of its role in the Volhynia massacres between 1943 and 1945. Polish officials estimate that around 100,000 ethnic Poles were killed by Ukrainian nationalists during the conflict, while thousands of Ukrainians also died in retaliatory attacks.

Nawrocki stated that honoring the UPA undermines historical reconciliation and provides opportunities for Russian disinformation campaigns. Despite the disagreement, he emphasized that Poland’s support for Ukraine in its ongoing war against Russia remains a key strategic priority.

Poland’s Foreign Ministry also criticized the decision, saying the renaming of the military unit harms the memory of the victims and damages efforts to strengthen Polish-Ukrainian relations.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry responded by expressing regret over the negative reaction in Poland. Spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said Kyiv had no intention of causing offense and stressed that the UPA is viewed in Ukraine primarily as a symbol of resistance against Moscow’s imperial policies. He added that historical disputes between Poland and Ukraine ultimately benefit Russia.

Zelensky received the Order of the White Eagle in 2023 from former Polish President Andrzej Duda in recognition of his contributions to democracy, European security, peace, and bilateral relations between the two countries.

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions surrounding historical memory, World War II legacy issues, and the complex relationship between Poland and Ukraine as they continue to cooperate against Russian aggression.