Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to return the Order of the White Eagle to Poland has sparked sharp criticism within the country. Official Warsaw has characterized the move as a sign of disrespect toward state symbols and the bilateral relations between the two nations.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, this development was detailed in a report citing an official statement from the head of the Polish Presidential Administration.
Agnieszka Jendzak, head of the Polish Presidential Administration, criticized the Ukrainian leader's action regarding Poland's highest state honor in a statement released via social media. The Polish official explicitly labeled Kyiv's decision as an "insult."
The report notes that the decision to return the Order of the White Eagle has triggered significant discontent and widespread debate within diplomatic and political circles of the two allied nations.
The Order of the White Eagle is the oldest and highest decoration of the Republic of Poland, awarded for outstanding civil or military services, both in times of peace and war. Historically, it has been bestowed upon distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to the Polish state and society. The unexpected return of such a prestigious award by a high-ranking foreign official is considered a rare and highly unusual diplomatic gesture, signaling a potential strain in the strategic partnership between Kyiv and Warsaw.
