Poland Divided: Polarized Views on Stripping Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle

A new Europion Polska poll reveals that 47% of Poles support revoking Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Order of the White Eagle, though partisan divide and widespread pessimism regarding bilateral relations remain stark.

Public Awareness and the Order of the White Eagle

The decision by President Nawrocki to revoke the Order of the White Eagle from Volodymyr Zelenskyy has polarized public opinion. According to a representative survey of 1,062 adults, 50% of Poles followed the matter closely, while an additional 34% heard about it without specific details. Interest was significantly higher among men at 61% compared to 39% among women, with seniors over 60 displaying the highest level of engagement.

Partisan Rifts Over the Presidential Gesture

While 47% of respondents support the revocation, the divide is deep along party lines. Among PiS voters, 73% support the decision, and 75% of Confederation voters agree. Conversely, only 14% of KO voters view the move as correct; 35% believe it damages relations with Ukraine, and 23% characterize it as infantile behavior.

Ukrainian Response and Diplomatic Consequences

Reactions to Ukrainian officials returning Polish decorations vary: 26% of Poles view this as an unnecessary, infantile act, 20% perceive it as a courageous protest, and 18% see it as a symbolic gesture lacking real significance. Notably, 33% of PiS voters label the Ukrainian response as a courageous protest, compared to only 11% of KO voters.

Pervasive Pessimism Regarding Bilateral Relations

Public sentiment regarding Polish-Ukrainian relations is poor, with 43% rating them as average, 24% as bad, and 12% as very bad. Only 6% describe the current state of relations as very good. Alarmingly, 68% of Poles believe the relationship is deteriorating, a sentiment shared across party lines—70% among KO voters and 57% among PiS voters.