Zbigniew Bogucki, head of the Polish President's Administration, has proposed stripping Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of the country's highest state honor, the Order of the White Eagle.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, Bogucki addressed this request to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk via social media. He urged the Prime Minister to take a "courageous step" and sign the necessary decree, emphasizing that it is a matter of fulfilling his official duties.
This initiative emerges against the backdrop of ongoing historical disputes between Poland and Ukraine. Previously, Karol Nawrocki, head of the Polish Institute of National Remembrance, also opposed Zelensky holding the award. The opposition stems from the naming of a Ukrainian Armed Forces unit after fighters from the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a move that has caused significant friction in Polish-Ukrainian relations.
Nawrocki stated that the proposal aims to uphold the prestige and integrity of Poland's highest state decoration. Meanwhile, Bogucki himself has faced backlash from the Ukrainian side; his name was reportedly added to the "Myrotvorets" database, with accusations of acting against Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Order of the White Eagle is Poland's oldest and highest decoration, awarded for outstanding civil and military services to the Republic of Poland. The debate surrounding its revocation highlights the complexities of diplomatic relations between Warsaw and Kyiv, particularly regarding historical memory and national identity.
