Will Tusk Countersign the Withdrawal of Zelensky’s Order? Government Spokesman Weighs In

Government spokesman Adam Szłapka suggests that the legal procedure to countersign the revocation of Volodymyr Zelensky’s Order of the White Eagle is redundant following the Ukrainian president’s decision to return the medal.

The Legal Standoff Over the White Eagle Order

Presidential spokesperson Rafał Leśkiewicz confirmed that the Chancellery has received the returned Order of the White Eagle. He argued that to formally conclude the process, Prime Minister Donald Tusk must provide a countersignature, which would render the order’s credentials invalid.

However, government spokesperson Adam Szłapka and Minister Tomasz Siemoniak dismissed the necessity of this step. They contend the matter is moot because President Zelensky has already voluntarily renounced the decoration.

Historical Disputes and Bilateral Tensions

The dispute stems from President Karol Nawrocki’s decision to revoke the honor following Zelensky’s approval of a military unit named after “UPA Heroes.” Polish officials, including Donald Tusk and Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, had previously issued diplomatic appeals against this naming.

Nawrocki emphasized that the revocation is not directed against the Ukrainian people or the ongoing war effort. He argued that Poland could not remain indifferent to the glorification of UPA members, whom he described as perpetrators of genocide, given the “unhealed wound” of the Volhynia massacre.

Uncertainty Over the Gdańsk Conference

Tensions remain high ahead of the Conference on the Reconstruction of Ukraine in Gdańsk. While government officials claim the conference will proceed as planned, reports indicate that President Zelensky will not attend, with Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko expected to lead the Ukrainian delegation instead.

Szłapka acknowledged that the current diplomatic strain is the most significant in years. He stressed that while historical grievances cannot be dismissed, maintaining security and stable economic partnerships remains a strategic necessity for Poland.