Following in the footsteps of Sybiga and Budanov: Ambassador Bodnar returns Polish award
20 June 14:16
Ukraine’s Ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Bodnar, announced that he is returning the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
“Understanding the emotions prevailing in Poland, I cannot accept that the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy—a friend of Poland—has been stripped of Poland’s highest award. In the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine… this decision is perceived as particularly painful and emotionally charged, as a gesture directed against the entire Ukrainian people,” he explained his decision.
At the same time, the diplomat expressed his conviction that wisdom will prevail over emotions, and mutual respect will prevail over political expediency.
“We may have different views, we may disagree, but we must not lose the ability to listen to one another and seek solutions through dialogue. Let us remember that our disputes always benefit the enemy—Moscow. Once again, I call for an open conversation,” he noted.
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 UPA. Navrotsky 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.
Following this, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga and Head of the Office of the President Kyrylo Budanov announced their intention to return the state awards to Poland. Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk called Navrotsky’s decision a “catastrophic mistake” that will have negative consequences for the Ukrainian-Polish partnership.
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