Presidential Spokesman: Ukraine Cut Off Communication Over Order of the White Eagle

Presidential spokesman Leśkiewicz confirmed that the Ukrainian side ceased communication regarding the Order of the White Eagle, adding that the decision to revoke the honor followed a lack of response from President Zelensky.

Broken Channels of Communication

According to Leśkiewicz, the decision made by Karol Nawrocki was announced weeks in advance due to the lack of reaction from President Zelensky. The spokesman stated that the Ukrainians withdrew from two proposed initiatives: a phone call and a subsequent meeting between the presidents.

Leśkiewicz noted that after the initial proposal for a phone call, Nawrocki expressed a willingness to attend the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk. Ukrainians then proposed a direct meeting in Warsaw, and a date was set, but communication was later severed by the Ukrainian side.

Dispute Over UPA Honors

The spokesman emphasized that Poland’s stance remains clear: units of the Ukrainian army should not bear the names of UPA war criminals. He clarified that President Nawrocki did not set conditions for the meeting, but expected this specific issue to be addressed.

Leśkiewicz reiterated that Poland cannot accept the naming of Ukrainian military units after the UPA, an organization viewed as criminal. This position was expressed publicly by the President immediately following Zelensky’s actions.

The Status of the Order

Regarding the Order of the White Eagle returned by Volodymyr Zelensky, the spokesman confirmed it has been delivered to the Chancellery of the President and placed in a deposit. Formal procedures are now required to finalize the return.

The presidential decree must now receive a countersignature from the Prime Minister. Once this process is complete, the identification card—which is an integral part of the order—will lose its validity.

Zelensky’s Perspective on the Conflict

In a recent interview with TSN, President Zelensky claimed he had proposed a joint conference to the Polish side. He alleged that the Polish President’s actions are driven by the electoral process and an attempt to pressure Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

Zelensky stated that he sent representatives to resolve the issue with Polish authorities, including the Chancellery and the Prime Minister’s team. However, his envoys returned with the conviction that Nawrocki was determined to revoke the decoration regardless of their efforts.