Leonid Kuchma, the former president of Ukraine, has officially renounced the Order of the White Eagle. He was originally granted this prestigious award in 1997. This decision serves as a direct reaction to the removal of the same honor from current President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Kuchma's gesture highlights a symbolic stand against the stripping of the decoration. By returning the award, he aligns himself with the current Ukrainian leadership. The move underscores the diplomatic tensions surrounding the Polish honors system. This act of solidarity reflects the internal dynamics of Ukrainian political history.