Amid the scandal over Zelenskyy’s award: Budanov declined the Order of Merit of Poland
20 June 10:19
Kirill Budanov, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, announced that he was returning the Gold Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of Poland, which he had been awarded last year, following Polish President Karol Nawrocki’s decision to strip Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle previously awarded to him, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
“Unfortunately, Polish President Karol Nawrocki has committed an unfriendly act toward our people by stripping the President of Ukraine of the Order of the White Eagle previously awarded to him,” Budanov said.
According to him, such actions are “a gift to the Moscow aggressor,” which the latter “will certainly use against both of our countries.”
Budanov emphasized that Ukrainian-Polish relations have a long history, which includes both heroic and tragic chapters; however, he said, this should serve as a basis for deep reflection, not political speculation. He also stated that Ukraine does not interfere in the historical memory of other nations and reserves the right to its own national memory and dignity.
“In light of this, I am declining the Gold Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, which was awarded to me last year by the President of Poland,” he said.
In addition, the head of the Office of the President questioned the logic behind the Polish president’s decision regarding the Ukrainian head of state, citing historical examples.
“I am convinced that this gesture by the President of Poland has nothing to do with justice or anything of the sort. After all, what kind of justice can we talk about if, for example, the Order of the White Eagle has still not been stripped from the Italian fascist dictator and Hitler’s accomplice, Benito Mussolini?” Budanov noted.
He emphasized that Ukraine will continue to adhere to the principles of open partnership with its allies, but only on the basis of equality and mutual respect.
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As previously reported, on June 19, Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced the decision to strip Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle, citing differences regarding historical memory and attitudes toward the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). According to him, for the majority of Polish society, the UPA remains a group responsible for crimes against citizens of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth during World War II. Navrotsky also expressed his disagreement with Zelenskyy’s decision to award the “North” Separate Special Operations Center of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Special Operations Forces an honorary name in honor of the Heroes of the UPA.
In turn, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga announced his intention to return to Poland the Commander’s Cross with Star of the Order “For Merit to Poland” in light of the decision to strip Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle.
Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk stated that President Navrotsky had made a catastrophic mistake that would have far-reaching negative consequences for the Ukrainian-Polish partnership.
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