Former President Andrzej Duda addressed calls to strip Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle, citing shifts in political conditions and the Ukrainian leader’s recent decision regarding the UPA.
Duda: Conditions Have Changed
Andrzej Duda, responding to inquiries regarding Karol Nawrocki’s proposal to review Zelenskyy’s decoration, stated that the award was granted under different circumstances. Duda noted that both conditions and Zelenskyy’s behavior have changed significantly since the order was bestowed.
Duda emphasized that the final decision rests with President Nawrocki, who will weigh the opinion of the Order’s Chapter alongside various facts—some of which are not widely known or remain overlooked in the current political atmosphere.
The UPA Naming Controversy
The debate follows Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decision to rename the Separate Center for Special Operations “North” after the “Heroes of the UPA.” Zelenskyy stated the move aimed to restore historical national military traditions and recognize the unit’s defensive service.
In Poland, the decision faced immediate backlash. Karol Nawrocki claimed the move provided fuel for Russian propaganda and announced he would initiate proceedings to revoke the Order of the White Eagle from the Ukrainian president.
Legal Process and Historical Context
The Order of the White Eagle was awarded to Zelenskyy by Duda in the spring of 2023, following a period of close diplomatic cooperation and mutual visits. In 2025, Duda himself received Ukraine’s highest honor, the Order of Freedom.
The Order’s Chapter, consisting of the President and five appointed members, is scheduled to meet on June 8. Revoking an honor requires evidence that it was awarded based on misinformation or that the recipient committed an act rendering them unworthy of the distinction.
Any decision to revoke the honor would require the countersignature of Prime Minister Donald Tusk. It remains unclear how the head of government would proceed regarding such a petition.
