Karol Nawrocki, head of the Institute of National Remembrance, has proposed rescinding the Order of the White Eagle from President Volodymyr Zelensky following his decision to name a Ukrainian military unit after the UPA.
Nawrocki Calls for Revocation of Honors
Karol Nawrocki has formally proposed that the Chapter of the Order of the White Eagle consider stripping President Zelensky of the honor during its June 8th meeting. Nawrocki expressed strong criticism, stating that the Ukrainian president has provided significant material for Russian propaganda.
Nawrocki argued that by glorifying the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), Zelensky has demonstrated that Ukraine is not currently prepared to be part of the European family. He emphasized that such actions undermine international relations and reflect poorly on the nation’s historical judgment.
Official Government Stance and Diplomatic Friction
The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through spokesperson Maciej Wewiór, stated that Poland views the naming of the unit after the “Heroes of the UPA” with distinct negativity. The Ministry warned that the decision wounds the memory of past victims and risks fracturing bilateral support for Ukraine.
Deputy Minister Marcin Bosacki met with Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Bodnar to convey Poland’s disappointment. Meanwhile, the Polish Embassy in Kyiv noted that they had informally warned Ukraine that such glorification would meet with a negative social reaction in Poland, though they acknowledged that each country ultimately determines its own national heroes.
Historical Context of the Volhynia Massacre
The conflict over the legacy of the OUN and UPA stems from fundamentally different historical interpretations. For Poland, the 1943 events in Volhynia constitute genocide, while Ukraine often views the UPA primarily as a symbol of resistance against Soviet occupation.
Historians note that in July 1943, the UPA launched coordinated attacks on approximately 150 Polish-populated villages in the Volhynia region. These atrocities were perpetrated by the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN-B) and their subordinate armed wing, the UPA.
