Volodymyr Zelenskyy returned the Order of the White Eagle to Poland in response to the Polish president’s decision to strip him of the honour. The head of state emphasised that this would not affect relations between the two nations.
- Zelenskyy returned Poland’s Order of the White Eagle.
- This is a response to the revocation of the award by the Polish side.
- The President thanked Poland for its support during the war.
- Zelenskyy expressed his willingness to continue working together.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy returns the Order of the White Eagle
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy returned Order of the White Eagle Poland, following the decision by the President of Poland Karol Navrotsky to strip him of this award. Zelenskyy noted that the award had been sent to Warsaw via a courier service, emphasising that the situation should not affect relations between the Ukrainian and Polish peoples.
“If it is felt that this particular symbol can remain with Catherine the Great, Benito Mussolini and Gerhard Schröder, then we in Ukraine will not stand in the way of that,” the president said.
This move demonstrates Ukraine’s readiness to engage in constructive dialogue with Poland, despite the difficult periods in their shared history. Zelenskyy emphasised that his position is not directed against the Polish people, who remain an important ally of Ukraine.
A thank you to Poland for its support
The President specifically thanked the Polish people for their support of Ukrainians following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. According to him, support from Polish society became one of the key factors in the early months of the war. Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine remains open to new forms of cooperation between Kyiv and Warsaw.
“I am proud of our people and of every Ukrainian soldier – the millions of Ukrainian men and women who deserve our unqualified respect for the heroism shown by the Ukrainian people in defending themselves against Russian aggression,” he added.
Zelenskyy emphasised that it is the Ukrainian military and civilians who are today the true symbol of resilience and the struggle for freedom.
