Poland Split Over Stripping Zelensky of Order of the White Eagle

A new United Surveys poll reveals that a majority of Poles support President Karol Nawrocki’s proposal to strip Volodymyr Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle, citing persistent historical tensions.

The Poll Findings

More than half of the respondents, specifically 51.2 percent, believe that revoking Volodymyr Zelensky’s Order of the White Eagle is the correct move. Within this group, 31.9 percent responded “definitely yes,” while 19.3 percent opted for “rather yes.”

Conversely, 35.5 percent of those surveyed oppose the measure, with 12.5 percent stating “definitely no” and 23 percent choosing “rather no.” A further 13.3 percent of participants expressed no opinion on the matter.

Political Divides

Public opinion on the issue is strongly tied to political preferences. Voters supporting the current ruling coalition—including Civic Coalition, PSL, The Left, and Poland 2050—are largely opposed to revoking the decoration, with 17 percent undecided.

In contrast, 80 percent of those who support the current parliamentary opposition, such as PiS and Confederation, favor stripping the Ukrainian president of the Polish honor. Meanwhile, voters without clear political affiliations remain largely undecided, with 40 percent opposing the move and 32 percent supporting it.

Historical Friction

The proposal to revoke the award followed President Zelensky’s decision to name a military unit “Heroes of the UPA.” The glorification of the UPA remains a highly sensitive issue in Poland due to the atrocities committed against Poles in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia.

Diplomatic efforts by officials such as Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz to address the naming of the unit failed to produce results. The Order of the White Eagle was originally conferred upon Zelensky by former President Andrzej Duda.