Trending Now - Poland's President Rejects Zelenskyy Over Controversial Honorary Title

WHO:

politico.eu - Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced plans to strip Volodymyr Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle.

Notes From Poland - Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is involved in the situation, seeking to calm tensions.

politico.eu - Ukraine’s ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Bodnar, was summoned to Poland’s foreign ministry.

Notes From Poland - Former Polish President Lech Wałęsa expressed his protest against Zelensky's actions.

WHAT:

politico.eu - Zelensky issued a decree naming a special operations forces unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).

Notes From Poland - Nawrocki plans to propose revoking Zelensky’s Order of the White Eagle at a meeting on 8 June.

Notes From Poland - Nawrocki stated that Zelensky's actions show Ukraine is not ready to be part of the European family.

Notes From Poland - The UPA was responsible for the Volhynia massacres, where around 100,000 ethnic Poles were killed.

Notes From Poland - Tusk warned that conflict between Poland and Ukraine benefits Russia.

WHERE:

politico.eu - The events are taking place in Poland and Ukraine.

WHEN:

Notes From Poland - The meeting to discuss revoking Zelensky’s award is scheduled for 8 June.

Notes From Poland - The Order of the White Eagle was awarded to Zelensky in 2023.

WHY:

Notes From Poland - The controversy stems from Zelensky naming a military unit after the UPA, which is associated with historical massacres of Poles.

Notes From Poland - Nawrocki criticized Zelensky for glorifying the UPA, which he claims is not acceptable in the European context.

HOW:

Notes From Poland - Nawrocki announced his intention to strip Zelensky of the honor through a formal proposal to the overseeing body.

(UPDATED May 29, 2026 23:24 UTC)

Polish President Karol Nawrocki has announced plans to strip Volodymyr Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle, following Zelensky's decree to name a special operations forces unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, a group linked to historical massacres of Poles. The proposal to revoke the honor will be discussed in a meeting scheduled for June 8, as Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk seeks to calm rising tensions between Poland and Ukraine. In response to the situation, Ukraine’s ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Bodnar, has been summoned to the foreign ministry, while former Polish President Lech Wałęsa has publicly protested against Zelensky's actions.