Polish Public Split on Stripping Zelensky of Order: Survey Reveals Divided Opinions.

SW Research Poll Findings on Karol Nawrocki's Decision

According to Espreso.tv: A survey conducted by SW Research reveals that 36.4% of Poles believe Karol Nawrocki's move to revoke Volodymyr Zelensky's Order of the White Eagle will strengthen Poland's position, while 31.6% think it will weaken it. The study was carried out on June 24, 2023, among 810 adult Polish citizens.

Events Leading to the Decision

The chain of events began on May 26, 2023, when Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree naming the Separate Center for Special Operations 'North' after the 'Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA)'. The following day, May 27, 2023, Nawrocki announced his intention to strip Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle. On June 8, 2023, the Order's Chapter convened, and on June 19, 2023, Nawrocki carried out the revocation.

On June 20, 2023, Zelensky reported that he had returned the order, and on June 22, 2023, Nawrocki's office confirmed its receipt. Following this incident, on June 26, 2023, Nawrocki's trust rating stood at 54.8%. Commenting on the situation, Volodymyr Zelensky stated that

“Nawrocki's actions are purely motivated by electoral considerations.”

Thus, the decision to strip Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle has sparked mixed assessments among the Polish population and become a topic of public debate. This incident highlights the complex relationship between Poland and Ukraine, which, despite shared interests, sometimes encounters political and historical disagreements. The differing views among Poles regarding Nawrocki's decision reflect societal divisions and the ambiguous nature of Ukrainian-Polish relations in the context of historical memory and contemporary politics. Discussions surrounding this situation may influence the future development of political dialogue between the two countries and their regional interactions.