Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has returned Poland’s highest state honor, the Order of Merit, following a controversy over the renaming of a Ukrainian army unit. The unit was renamed after a formation from World War II, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a group with a contested historical legacy due to its involvement in wartime atrocities, including against Poles. Poland strongly condemned the renaming, viewing it as insensitive and disrespectful to the memory of victims of the UPA’s actions. Zelensky’s decision to return the honor is a direct response to the Polish government’s position and the ensuing diplomatic friction. The move underscores the sensitive historical issues that continue to impact relations between Ukraine and Poland, particularly regarding interpretations of WWII events. The incident highlights the complexities of navigating historical memory in the context of ongoing geopolitical conflict. This action signals Zelensky’s unwillingness to accept the honor under current circumstances.