Lithuania and Germany Urge Focus on Unity Amid Polish-Ukrainian Order Dispute

Following the Polish decision to revoke Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Order of the White Eagle, the defense ministers of Lithuania and Germany have called for historical debates to remain separate from pressing security priorities.

The Revocation of the Order

On Friday, June 19, Karol Nawrocki announced the decision to revoke the Order of the White Eagle from Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The action followed Ukraine’s decision to name a military unit after the UPA heroes. Zelenskyy had received the honor in April 2023 in recognition of his efforts to deepen Polish-Ukrainian relations and defend human rights.

The Ukrainian president returned the order to Warsaw the following day. He affirmed Ukraine’s gratitude to the Polish people, noting that their cooperation remains vital in the struggle for shared independence against Russia.

Diplomatic Fallout and Protests

In response to the revocation, former Ukrainian presidents Leonid Kuchma, Viktor Yushchenko, and Petro Poroshenko renounced their own Polish state honors. Other officials, including Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and various diplomatic figures, also returned their awards.

Calls for Historical Restraint

Addressing the tension, Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas stated on June 22 that history should be discussed by scholars, while politicians must prioritize long-term stability. He emphasized that current hardships should not undermine the collective future of the region.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stressed the necessity of maintaining NATO unity and solidarity with Ukraine. He cautioned against focusing solely on the past, arguing that historical debates must not distract from common security goals and the urgent need for defense against external threats.