Szłapka: Zelensky’s Absence from Gdańsk Conference is Ukraine’s Decision

Polish government spokesperson Adam Szłapka confirmed that the decision for Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko to lead the Ukrainian delegation at this Thursday’s Recovery Conference in Gdańsk rests solely with Kyiv.

Zelensky’s Absence and Delegation Leadership

Government spokesperson Adam Szłapka stated that the choice to have Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko represent Ukraine at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk is an internal decision made by the Ukrainian side. It was previously expected that President Volodymyr Zelensky would attend the event.

During a press conference following Tuesday’s Council of Ministers meeting, Szłapka emphasized that the conference is primarily an economic forum. He noted that the decision for the country to be represented at the governmental level is solely Ukraine’s, and therefore difficult for the Polish government to evaluate.

Exclusion of President Karol Nawrocki

When asked why President Karol Nawrocki was not invited to the conference, Szłapka explained that the event’s format is the deciding factor. He noted that the conference is a recurring initiative organized by executive authorities responsible for economic and foreign policy.

Recent Diplomatic Tensions

Last Friday, President Nawrocki announced his decision to strip President Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle, following Zelensky’s approval of naming a military unit after UPA heroes. The following day, the Ukrainian president returned the order to Nawrocki, while former Ukrainian presidents Leonid Kuchma, Viktor Yushchenko, and Petro Poroszenko announced they were renouncing their own White Eagle orders.

Zelensky had been awarded the Order of the White Eagle in April 2023 by then-President Andrzej Duda for his contributions to Polish-Ukrainian relations. Poland and Ukraine maintain differing historical interpretations regarding the OUN and UPA, particularly concerning the 1943 events in Volhynia.

Conference Objectives

The Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2026) is scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Gdańsk, co-organized by Poland and Ukraine. The event aims to strengthen international support for the country’s reconstruction and stimulate investment in the Ukrainian economy.