Polish President Karol Nawrocki revoked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Order of the White Eagle, Poland's highest state honour, on June 20, 2026 [1, 2, 3].
The decision marks a significant diplomatic rift between two key allies in Eastern Europe. The move threatens to strain bilateral relations at a time when regional security and military cooperation remain critical.
The revocation was triggered by a dispute regarding the naming of a Polish army unit after a nationalist group from World War II [2, 4, 5]. President Nawrocki said this specific disagreement was the basis for removing the honour from the Ukrainian leader [2, 4].
Ukrainian officials criticized the decision made by the Polish president [3, 6, 7]. The Order of the White Eagle is the most prestigious award granted by the Polish state, a symbol of the highest level of merit and friendship.
While Poland has historically provided extensive support to Ukraine, this action highlights deep-seated historical tensions that continue to influence modern political ties. The disagreement over the World War II-era group reflects long-standing complexities regarding national memory and the interpretation of wartime legacies in the region [2, 5].
Official responses from Kyiv indicate that the move is viewed as an unnecessary escalation of a historical dispute [3, 6]. Both nations have not yet announced a formal diplomatic meeting to resolve the matter.
“President Karol Nawrocki revoked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Order of the White Eagle”
The stripping of the Order of the White Eagle signals that historical grievances regarding World War II can still override strategic geopolitical alignments. By taking this symbolic step, Poland is asserting its national narrative over its current diplomatic partnership with Ukraine, potentially complicating future military and political coordination between the two nations.
