Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine – Diplomatic tensions rise as Ukraine and Poland clash over historical memory, wartime legacy, and national honours
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has returned Poland’s highest state honour after Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced that he was stripping the Ukrainian leader of the prestigious award, deepening tensions between two countries that have been close allies since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The diplomatic disagreement centers on historical interpretations of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a nationalist military formation active during and after the Second World War. While many Ukrainians view the UPA as a symbol of resistance and independence, Poland accuses the group of carrying out mass killings of ethnic Poles during the war.
Zelensky confirmed the decision to return the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest state distinction, in a statement released on social media. The award had originally been presented to him in 2023 by then-Polish President Andrzej Duda in recognition of strengthening ties between the two neighbouring nations.
The dispute intensified after Ukraine renamed a military unit in honour of the UPA late last month. The move sparked widespread criticism in Poland, where memories of wartime atrocities remain a sensitive political and social issue.
In his statement, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine remained committed to constructive dialogue with Poland despite the disagreement. He said Kyiv would remain open to meaningful engagement aimed at avoiding conflicting interpretations of difficult chapters in the shared history of both nations.
The Ukrainian president also expressed gratitude to the Polish people for their continued support and cooperation throughout the ongoing war with Russia. Poland has played a vital role in supporting Ukraine since the beginning of Moscow’s invasion in February 2022.
Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees found shelter in Poland after fleeing the conflict. The country has also served as a critical logistics hub for military, humanitarian and financial assistance flowing into Ukraine from Western allies.
Images shared by Zelensky on social media showed the Order of the White Eagle before it was returned. The symbolic gesture marked a rare public exchange between leaders of two countries that have generally maintained strong diplomatic and strategic relations in recent years.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki sharply criticized Ukraine’s decision to honour the UPA through the military unit’s renaming. In a video statement released through the Polish presidency, he described the move as “outrageous,” “incomprehensible,” and “deeply disappointing.”
Nawrocki argued that the UPA remains associated in Poland with brutal wartime crimes committed against Polish civilians. He said the decision undermined years of trust-building efforts between Warsaw and Kyiv and caused pain to many Polish families whose relatives were affected by the events of the 1940s.
At the center of the controversy is the Volhynia tragedy, known in Poland as the Volhynia massacre. Polish authorities and historians estimate that approximately 100,000 ethnic Poles were killed in Volhynia and neighbouring regions between 1943 and 1945 by forces linked to the UPA.
Ukraine’s interpretation of the same historical period differs significantly. Many Ukrainians view UPA fighters as national heroes who fought for independence against multiple occupying forces, including Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union and Polish authorities.
The red-and-black flag historically associated with the UPA remains visible across Ukraine today, particularly among military units defending the country against Russian aggression. Supporters argue that the organization’s role in the struggle for Ukrainian sovereignty should not be overshadowed entirely by historical controversies.
The disagreement has also prompted reactions from other senior Ukrainian officials. Three high-ranking Ukrainian figures announced that they would return honours previously awarded by Poland in solidarity with President Zelensky.
Despite the escalating rhetoric, both governments have sought to prevent the dispute from affecting broader strategic cooperation. Nawrocki stressed that Poland’s support for Ukraine’s defence against Russia would continue regardless of disagreements over historical memory.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also urged restraint from both sides. Writing on social media, Tusk warned that any public feud between Warsaw and Kyiv would only benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin.
He called on both leaders to reduce tensions rather than intensify them, emphasizing the importance of maintaining unity at a time when Ukraine continues to face significant military pressure from Russia.
Political analysts note that historical disputes have periodically complicated relations between Poland and Ukraine despite their growing strategic partnership. Issues related to wartime events, memorials and historical recognition have frequently resurfaced over the years.
However, the current disagreement comes at a particularly important moment for Ukraine. The country is actively pursuing membership in the European Union and recently participated in the opening phase of accession negotiations in Luxembourg.
Strong relations with Poland are widely considered essential for Kyiv’s European ambitions. Warsaw has consistently supported Ukraine’s integration into European institutions and has advocated for greater international backing of Kyiv’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Experts believe that both governments are likely to continue seeking avenues for dialogue to prevent the historical dispute from undermining cooperation on security, trade and European integration.
While the return of the Order of the White Eagle represents a significant symbolic setback, observers say neither side appears willing to jeopardize the broader partnership that has developed during the war against Russia.
For now, the exchange highlights the enduring challenges posed by competing historical narratives. Even as Poland and Ukraine remain united against external threats, unresolved memories of the past continue to shape political discourse and diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring nations.