Kyiv Responds to Warsaw: Zelensky’s Chief of Staff Renounces Polish Decoration

Following the decision by Karol Nawrocki to strip Volodymyr Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle, senior Ukrainian officials, including the Chief of Staff and the Foreign Minister, have renounced their Polish state honors.

Escalating Diplomatic Friction

Following Karol Nawrocki’s decision to revoke Volodymyr Zelensky’s Order of the White Eagle, tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv have intensified. Within hours, two high-ranking Ukrainian officials announced they would relinquish their Polish state decorations.

Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, announced via social media that he is returning the Golden Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, which he received last year, explicitly linking his decision to Nawrocki’s actions.

Concerns Over Symbolic Diplomacy

Budanov stated that stripping the Ukrainian president of Poland’s highest honor is a gesture aimed not only at the leader but at the bilateral relationship itself. He warned that this move could be exploited for propaganda purposes by Russia.

The Ukrainian official noted that while the history of Polish-Ukrainian relations is complex and contains both cooperation and tragedy, it should encourage dialogue rather than actions that exacerbate political disputes.

Criticism of Selective Justice

In his statement, Budanov questioned the consistency of historical justice, pointing out that the Order of the White Eagle formally remains among the honors granted to Benito Mussolini. He added that Ukraine will conduct its own assessment of these events.

Budanov emphasized that while Ukraine continues to fight for regional security, he does not wish to remain passive toward actions he believes fuel animosity against Ukrainian citizens.

Nawrocki Defends the Decision

The dispute centers on Friday’s announcement by Karol Nawrocki. The President of the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) stated that the revocation of the Order of the White Eagle is not directed against the Ukrainian people nor does it signal a shift in Poland’s strategic security policy.

He maintained that Poland continues to support Ukraine against Russian aggression, as Ukrainian security remains a vital element of Europe’s overall stability. However, the decision has drawn significant criticism both in Poland and abroad, with many observers fearing it signals a cooling of previously close ties.

Foreign Minister Also Resigns Decoration

Kyrylo Budanov was not the first official to take this step. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha earlier announced he would return the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland awarded in October 2022, stating he could no longer remain a recipient of honors from the Polish state.

Experts on Polish-Ukrainian relations note that these state honors carry significant political and diplomatic weight. The current dispute, occurring during Ukraine’s ongoing defensive war, has transformed from a symbolic gesture into a broader debate regarding the future of the alliance between Warsaw and Kyiv.