Poland’s President has decided to revoke a high state honor previously awarded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The decision follows Zelenskyy’s move to rename a Ukrainian military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). The UPA, a nationalist organization, committed massacres of Poles during World War II, sparking outrage in Poland. Polish officials condemned the renaming as insensitive and disrespectful to the victims of UPA atrocities. The honor being revoked is one of Poland’s highest distinctions for foreign leaders. This action underscores the historical tensions between Poland and Ukraine regarding the UPA’s wartime actions and their legacy. The move is likely to further strain relations between the two countries, both allies in opposing Russian aggression.
