In this Worthy News article, Stefan J. Bos reports that tensions between Poland and Ukraine escalated after President Volodymyr Zelensky returned Poland’s highest state honor following a decision to strip it over a wartime legacy dispute involving the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).
- Zelensky received the Order of the White Eagle in 2023 for Poland’s support after Russia’s invasion, but returned it after Ukraine renamed a unit honoring the UPA.
- Poland accuses the UPA of massacring around 100,000 ethnic Poles in Volhynia between 1943 and 1945 during World War II.
- Zelensky expressed openness to dialogue to avoid conflicting interpretations of shared history while thanking Poland for wartime support.
- Three senior Ukrainian officials also returned Polish awards in solidarity.
- Polish President Karol Nawrocki called the move outrageous and disappointing, undermining trust, but stressed it wouldn’t affect support for Ukraine against Russia.
- Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged de-escalation, warning conflict would benefit Putin.
- The dispute arises as Ukraine advances EU accession talks, highlighting sensitive historical issues.
Read the full story:
https://www.worthynews.com/115236-poland-ukraine-tensions-rise-over-wartime-legacy-dispute
