A group of Polish MEPs from the PiS and Confederation parties has petitioned European Parliament President Roberta Metsola to strip Volodymyr Zelensky of his award, citing the glorification of UPA units.
The Petition Against Zelensky
Confederation MEP Anna Bryłka announced on X that President Zelensky does not deserve the European Order of Merit, following his decision to name a military unit after the “Heroes of the UPA.” Bryłka stated that European values are incompatible with the glorification of genocide and ethnic cleansing.
The request to Roberta Metsola was signed by numerous MEPs, including Tomasz Buczek, Marcin Sypniewski, Stanisław Tyszka, Grzegorz Braun, Ewa Zajączkowska-Hernik, Adam Bielan, Beata Szydło, Tobiasz Bocheński, Joachim Brudziński, Waldemar Buda, Marlena Maląg, Daniel Obajtek, Jacek Ozdoba, Dominik Tarczyński, and Jadwiga Wiśniewska.
European Order of Merit Background
The European Parliament defines the Order of Merit as a recognition for individuals who have significantly contributed to European integration or the promotion and defense of treaty-based values. This year’s honorees also include former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Polish President Lech Wałęsa.
The selection committee currently includes Roberta Metsola, Ewa Kopacz, Sophie Wilmès, Michel Barnier, José Manuel Barroso, Josep Borrell, and Enrico Letta.
Debate Over the Order of the White Eagle
Zelensky’s move to honor the UPA has also sparked controversy in Poland regarding the Order of the White Eagle, which he received in April 2023. Karol Nawrocki, president of the Institute of National Remembrance, proposed that the Order of the White Eagle Chapter meet on June 8 to consider revoking the president’s decoration.
Diplomatic Tensions and Historical Disputes
Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Bosacki held talks with the head of the Ukrainian President’s Office, Kyrylo Budanov, to address the naming of the military unit. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the decision caused pain and outrage in Poland, emphasizing that bilateral relations must be built on historical truth and respect for victims.
The historical context dates back to July 1943, when the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) conducted coordinated attacks on approximately 150 Polish-inhabited localities in the Volhynia region. While Poland views these events as genocide, Ukrainian authorities often interpret them as a symmetrical armed conflict, further complicating bilateral perceptions of the OUN and UPA organizations.