The “Conflict of Orders” Continues: Polish Senate Deputy Speaker Returns Ukrainian Awards
23 June 00:55
Michał Kaminski, Deputy Marshal of the Polish Senate, announced that he is returning two state awards to Ukraine that he had previously received for supporting Ukraine’s European integration and fostering the Ukrainian-Polish partnership. This was reported by 300Polityka, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
The Polish politician explained his decision by citing his disagreement with the Ukrainian government’s actions regarding historical memory and what he sees as a lack of unequivocal condemnation of individuals in Poland associated with the Volhynia tragedy.
Kaminski sent a letter to Vasyl Bodnar, Ukraine’s ambassador to Poland, asking him to forward the awards to the relevant Ukrainian authorities.
Why Kaminski Returned the Ukrainian Awards
In the letter, the Deputy Marshal of the Senate stated that he made the decision in response to the actions and statements of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as the Ukrainian political elite’s support for decisions regarding national memory.
“I have decided to return two state awards from Ukraine, which I received for my work in support of Ukraine’s European integration,” said Michał Kaminski.
According to him, he accepted the awards as recognition of his many years of work on building a strategic partnership between Ukraine and Poland.
Why Ukraine Awarded the Polish Politician
Michał Kamiński noted that he received the Ukrainian awards for supporting Ukraine’s European aspirations.
In particular, the politician emphasized that he authored the first report in the history of the European Parliament dedicated to the prospect of Ukraine’s membership in the European Union.
Kaminski also worked on the Eastern policy of Polish President Lech Kaczyński, who supported Ukraine’s independence and its integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures.
Public reports in the Polish media do not specify the names of the two returned awards. At the same time, Kaminski’s biographical information indicates that in 2008 he received the Ukrainian Order of Merit, Third Class.
Polish Politician Recalls Support for Ukraine
In his letter, Kaminski emphasized that Poland has supported Ukraine politically, diplomatically, and economically for many years.
According to him, Warsaw was one of the main advocates of Ukraine’s integration into the European Union and NATO even when some European politicians were cautious about these prospects.
“Poland was an advocate for Ukraine in Europe at a time when many European politicians viewed Ukraine’s aspirations with reservations,” Kaminski noted.
He also highlighted the military, humanitarian, and financial aid that Poland and other European countries have been providing to Ukraine during the Russian aggression.
Kaminski expressed disappointment with Ukraine’s position
The Vice Marshal of the Senate asserts that Polish support has not been sufficiently reciprocated in matters of historical memory.
He highlighted the difficulties in conducting exhumations of Polish victims of the Volhynia tragedy and criticized the commemoration of OUN and UPA figures in Ukraine.
“Today, it is difficult for me to retain these awards if Ukraine’s top leadership and a significant portion of its political elite have not unequivocally condemned the perpetrators of the Volhynia tragedy,” the politician said in a statement.
This assessment reflects the position of Kaminski and a segment of the Polish political establishment. The Ukrainian side has repeatedly emphasized the need for a professional historical dialogue, the conduct of search operations, and the dignified commemoration of all victims of the Ukrainian-Polish conflict.
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What Kaminski Said About the Selection of National Heroes
The Polish politician acknowledged the right of every state to independently shape its own policy of remembrance and designate national heroes.
At the same time, he stated that Poland also has the right to evaluate such decisions if they concern individuals whom the Polish side considers to be involved in the mass killings of civilians.
“Every nation has the right to shape its own historical memory and choose its own heroes. However, Poland has the right to evaluate that choice,” Kaminski noted.
According to him, the return of the awards is a symbolic gesture, not a rejection of the idea of an independent and European Ukraine.
Kaminski wrote a letter to the Ukrainian ambassador
Michał Kaminski sent his letter to Vasyl Bodnar, the Ukrainian ambassador to Poland.
In the letter, he asked that the returned awards be forwarded to the relevant Ukrainian authorities.
“I am returning the awards bestowed upon me and ask that they be forwarded to the competent authorities in Ukraine,” wrote the Vice Marshal of the Senate.
He added that he made this decision “with deep regret,” but believes that partnership between nations must be based on mutual honesty, respect for victims, and acknowledgment of difficult chapters in history.
“The ‘awards conflict’ between Ukraine and Poland”
Kaminski’s decision marked yet another episode in the diplomatic dispute between Ukraine and Poland, which Polish and Ukrainian media have dubbed the “conflict over orders.”
The dispute escalated after Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced that Volodymyr Zelenskyy would be stripped of the Order of the White Eagle.
The reason was the awarding of the honorary title “Heroes of the UPA” to one of Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces units.
Polish authorities criticized this decision, linking the Ukrainian Insurgent Army to the Volhynia tragedy and the deaths of Polish civilians.
Zelenskyy Returned the Order of the White Eagle
Following Karol Nawrocki’s decision, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the return of the Polish award.
The Order of the White Eagle was sent to the office of the President of Poland via courier service. The Polish side subsequently confirmed receipt of the package.
Zelenskyy also thanked the Polish people for their support of Ukraine in the war against Russia and emphasized the importance of the partnership between the two countries.
Former Ukrainian presidents have also declined the awards
Former Ukrainian presidents also reacted to the Polish president’s decision.
Leonid Kuchma, Viktor Yushchenko, and Petro Poroshenko announced that they were renouncing the Orders of the White Eagle they had previously received.
Several representatives of the Ukrainian government and diplomatic corps also declined Polish state honors.
These steps were a demonstration of solidarity with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a protest against the Polish president’s decision.
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