Poland Returns the Order of the White Eagle to Zelenskyy: What Led to the Decision.

Return of the Order of the White Eagle

According to Espreso.tv: After a decision was made to strip Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the honor, Poland has now returned the Order of the White Eagle. According to reports, the award will remain permanently at the Office of the President of Poland.

The Order of the White Eagle was handed back to the Polish presidential chancellery on June 22, 2023. This followed an announcement on May 29, 2023, by Polish President Karol Nawrocki regarding his intention to revoke the medal from Zelenskyy. Nawrocki formally made the decision to strip Zelenskyy of the honor on June 19, 2023. In response, Zelenskyy stated on June 20, 2023, that he had sent the Order of the White Eagle back to the Polish president.

Reactions to the Return of the Order

Rafał Leskiewicz, a representative from the Office of the President of Poland, confirmed that the order had been returned:

“The order has indeed been returned. We received it back at the President’s Office today.” – Rafał Leskiewicz

Karol Nawrocki emphasized that “the decision regarding the Order of the White Eagle is not directed against the Ukrainian people.”

While the situation surrounding the Order of the White Eagle has generated considerable attention, its return marks a significant development in the relationship between Poland and Ukraine.

The return of the Order of the White Eagle—initially slated to be taken from President Zelenskyy—highlights the evolving nature of Polish-Ukrainian relations, which have been shaped by numerous political and social challenges in recent years. Importantly, this move was not seen as an act of hostility toward Ukraine but rather underscored Poland’s willingness to maintain a constructive dialogue with its neighbor. Such gestures could help strengthen bilateral ties, especially given the shared challenges both nations face.