Ukrainian officials return Polish awards amid WWII historical dispute

Ukrainian Officials Return Polish Awards Amid Dispute Over World War II

Three top Ukrainian officials have announced they will return Polish awards, following a dispute between the two countries over World War II massacres. The decision comes after Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Poland’s highest honor, the Order of the White Eagle.

The controversy began when Zelenskyy named a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a group accused of massacring Poles during World War II. Polish officials have long disputed this naming, citing the UPA’s role in atrocities committed against Polish civilians.

In response to the decision, Ukrainian officials have expressed disappointment and concern. Kyrylo Budanov, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, stated that the dispute should be a “deep reflection” rather than a “crude political speculation.” Vasyl Bodnar, Ukraine’s ambassador to Warsaw, described the move as an “unfriendly act toward our people.”

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the decision a “strategic mistake,” while Bodnar noted that it would likely be used by Russia against both countries. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged calm and cooperation between the two nations.

The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between Poland and Ukraine, with both countries facing challenges from Russia. The UPA fought against Nazi German and Soviet forces during World War II, but its actions also led to significant harm for Polish civilians.

Source: Al Jazeera