“Navrotsky Must Apologize to Zelenskyy”: Novak Explains What Lies Behind the Polish-Ukrainian Conflict
13 July 20:43
YOUTUBE
Polish President Karol Nawrocki artificially created a confrontation with Ukraine—and now he is the one who must take a step back. Economist Andriy Novak made this statement on the "Komersant Ukrainian" YouTube channel.
According to him, the latest wave of tension between the two countries began with two specific actions by the Polish president: interference in Ukraine’s internal affairs over claims regarding the name of one of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ units, and the revocation of Poland’s highest honor—the Order of the White Eagle—from the President of Ukraine.
“Let me remind you where all these recent problems—or rather, where they resumed—between Ukraine and Poland began. They began with the crude interference of Polish President Navrotsky in Ukraine’s internal affairs, stemming from his objections to how we name things within our own country.
In the first instance, it concerned the name of one of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which is currently defending not only Ukraine but also Poland. “That was his first move, followed by a second one—also by Polish President Navrotsky—who, as we recall, stripped the President of Ukraine of the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest honor,” he noted.
Novak emphasized: Ukraine has not made any claims against Poland and does not intend to. Ukrainians do not comment on how Poles name their streets, squares, or units—and expect the same in return.
“No one else needs to do anything. Especially not with regard to Ukrainians—Ukrainians who are currently defending, with their blood and their lives, Poland’s independence and freedom, among other things.
The only person who should be doing anything right now is the President of Poland, who must first and foremost apologize to the President of Ukraine, whom he, for some reason, deprived of Poland’s highest honor, the Order of the White Eagle,” Novak emphasized.
“The ‘awards conflict’ between Ukraine and Poland”
The diplomatic dispute between Ukraine and Poland, which Polish and Ukrainian media have dubbed the “conflict over orders,” escalated after Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced that Volodymyr Zelenskyy had been stripped of the Order of the White Eagle.
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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.
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.
At the same time, Zelenskyy 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 also reacted to the Polish president’s decision.
Leonid Kuchma, Viktor Yushchenko, and Petro Poroshenko announced that they were renouncing the Order 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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