Former Polish MP Returns State Award in Protest Over President's Stance on Zelenskyy.

Ukrainian Politicians Return Polish Honors

According to Novyny.live: Piotr Fogler, a former member of the Polish Sejm, has sent back the Gold Cross of Merit to Polish President Karol Nawrocki as a form of protest against his policies. In a public statement, Fogler clarified that his action was not directed at the president who originally awarded him the honor, but rather at 'the current occupant of the Belweder Palace, who is increasingly mocking Poland and all of us.' He also voiced his support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Another Ukrainian political figure, Volodymyr Groysman, has returned the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland. This move highlights the shifting political landscape in Ukrainian-Polish relations amid current tensions. Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelenskyy himself has returned the Order of the White Eagle to the Polish president, signaling a deepening rift in diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Rejection of State Decorations

In addition, former Ukrainian presidents Leonid Kuchma, Viktor Yushchenko, and Petro Poroshenko have all declined Polish state awards, reflecting a broader trend among Ukrainian leaders in response to actions taken by Polish authorities. Petro Poroshenko noted that

“this step is political in nature and tied to the wider context of Ukrainian-Polish relations.”

Karol Nawrocki has commented on the decision to strip Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle, a move that may signal further complications in bilateral relations. These events underscore the growing strain between Ukraine and Poland and demonstrate how political decisions are reshaping international diplomacy.

These acts of returning state honors by Ukrainian politicians point to a deterioration in diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Poland—two countries that were once close allies, particularly in the context of Ukraine's war with Russia. The rejection of these awards can be seen as a symbolic protest against Polish government policy, which could have serious consequences for future cooperation in areas including economics, security, and cultural exchange.