Sikorski’s “UPA Heroes” Airport Proposal Sparks Diplomatic Backlash

Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski triggered a heated controversy on Friday after suggesting an airport be named after “UPA victims” to resolve a dispute over Volodymyr Zelensky’s Order of the White Eagle.

The Controversy Over the Order

On Friday, June 26, Radosław Sikorski suggested on TVN24 that President Volodymyr Zelensky should reconsider naming a Ukrainian military unit after “UPA heroes.” The Foreign Minister also argued that stripping Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle was inappropriate, stating that the move “personally humiliated the president of Ukraine.”

Sikorski proposed an alternative to the revocation of the honor, suggesting that naming the Jasionka airport “Airport of UPA Victims” would have settled the score. The proposal met immediate criticism, as the airport is already named after the Ulma family.

Sikorski’s Clarification and the “Order War”

The following day, Sikorski addressed the matter on the X platform. He acknowledged that the Jasionka airport is already rightfully named after the Ulma family, but maintained his stance that designating a site or military unit to “UPA victims” would have been preferable to starting an “atomic war over medals.”

Sikorski concluded that the entire dispute provided no strategic gain for Poland, Ukraine, or Russia, noting that it is rare for the presidents of all three nations to be satisfied by the same outcome.

Backlash from the Presidential Palace

The Minister’s remarks drew sharp condemnation from the Presidential Palace. Jarosław Dębowski, deputy head of the president’s cabinet, ironically praised the “great idea,” pointing out the airport’s existing namesake. Paweł Szefernaker, head of the president’s cabinet, labeled Sikorski a “dilettante” for ignoring that the airport honors Polish victims of German genocide.

Marcin Przydacz, head of the International Policy Bureau, also criticized the Foreign Minister. Przydacz questioned whether Sikorski was even aware of the Ulma family’s history, suggesting that the Minister prioritizes foreign historical figures over the legacy of the Polish farming family.