Poland again remembered the “crimes of the UPA”: how to respond to Ukraine

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How should official Kyiv react to the statement of Polish President Karol Nawrocki and his intention to consider the issue of depriving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle?

In my opinion, there are two options, each of which has its own reasons. It all depends on priorities.

If the priority is domestic politics and tactical issues of consolidation around power, then the first option is a sharp, mirror-like, and maximally public reaction.

If the priority is victory in war, then the second is restraint, diplomatic pragmatism, and the separation of tactical political gestures from strategic defense partnership.

From the point of view of state interests, the most effective algorithm of actions for Ukraine looks like this:

1. Refrain from loud public insults: emotional statements will only deepen the crisis and play into the hands of radical circles in Poland and hostile Russian propaganda.

2. Focus on Donald Tusk’s position: the Polish Prime Minister has already expressed a wise formula: “If we quarrel over the past, someone else will win the future.” It is worth supporting this message and showing that the Ukrainian government stands in solidarity with the Polish government in prioritizing common security over historical disputes.

3. Focus on the domestic context: through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Office of the President of Ukraine, it is advisable to calmly explain that Decree No. 440/2026 is aimed solely at honoring the modern anti-imperial resistance and traditions of the struggle for independence against Moscow, and not against Poland.

4. Do not react publicly to statements about the revocation of the order: attempts to politicize the award are an internal Polish political game. A diplomatic reaction (perhaps not public) is appropriate and even necessary, but in due time.

5. Pay attention to legal nuances: the deprivation of the order requires a lengthy procedure in the Chapter and the mandatory countersignature (approval) of the Prime Minister of Poland, which is unlikely under the current government. There are no legal grounds (this is confirmed by the decisions of the Chapter, which have already been considered earlier). The decision to deprive the order is unlikely, because in itself it will ricochet off the international reputation of the President of Poland Karol Nawrocki and will devalue the high award.

6. Focus on defense and economic cooperation. The main thing is the front and logistics: no disputes over historical “complex issues” should affect the purchase and transit of weapons, the operation of logistics hubs, and joint security projects.

7. Maintain a rational dialogue: one should constantly emphasize Navrotsky’s thesis: “supporting Ukraine in its resistance to Russia is Poland’s strategic goal.” It is on this point of contact that current relations must be built.

This is not the first time (and probably not the last) that Ukraine and Poland have faced similar challenges, when “complex issues” that should have long been the preserve of historians are being used again and again in politics.

In general, given today’s aggravated situation, one could understandably (as a Polish sovereign position) accept Warsaw’s diplomatic position, which was set out in the comments of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Ukraine (in the comment of the Wirtualna Polska editorial board).

“The Polish Embassy in Kyiv consistently holds events related to historical memory in Polish-Ukrainian relations, informing the Ukrainian side about the perception of the activities of the UPA and individual members of this formation in Poland. We emphasize that some figures who are considered symbols of the anti-Soviet resistance movement in Ukraine are perceived in Polish historical memory as persons responsible for war crimes and murders of the Polish population. We also point out that actions related to their glorification cause negative social reactions in Poland.

At the same time, we believe that every country has the right to form its own historical memory and choose its heroes, while being aware of the consequences of such decisions in international relations,” embassy representatives told the publication “Wirtualna Polska” on behalf of the Polish Ambassador to Kyiv, Piotr Lukasiewicz.

Official Kyiv has the right to the same “mirror” position. The Embassy of Ukraine in Poland could write the same thing. But…

Do we need to move from diplomacy to politics now? There will be far more cons than pros, no matter who is blowing it up right now.

Neighbors have different moments: both embraces and dissatisfaction, and even conflict situations. The main thing is that the peoples of Ukraine and Poland have the same national interests, at least in the security sphere. We have common enemies. Our countries will certainly be in one union. The main thing: to emerge victorious from this war in the center of Europe and not to go into the future with our heads turned to the past!

As a reminder, Polish President Karol Nawrocki wants to deprive Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of Poland’s highest state award, the Order of the White Eagle, due to his decision to award the elite unit of the Ukrainian Special Forces the title of Heroes of the UPA .

The decree of the head of state noted that this was done in order to restore the historical traditions of the national army and in view of the exemplary performance of combat missions by the unit while protecting the territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine.

This decision caused discontent in the Polish Foreign Ministry. On May 28, a meeting was held between the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Marcin Bosacki, and the Ambassador of Ukraine, Vasyl Bodnar, during which a protest was expressed and it was emphasized that this step is sensitive for Polish society.

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