Three Former Ukrainian Presidents Reject Poland's Highest Honor Over Zelenskyy Dispute.

Former Leaders Return Order of the White Eagle in Protest

According to UATV: In a coordinated move, three former presidents of Ukraine—Leonid Kuchma, Viktor Yushchenko, and Petro Poroshenko—have declined the Polish Order of the White Eagle. The decision follows Polish President Karol Nawrocki’s move to strip the same award from Ukraine’s current leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This has sparked outrage among Ukrainian politicians, who view the action as deeply unjust.

Kuchma, who served as Ukraine’s president from 1994 to 2004, originally received the Order of the White Eagle in 1997. In renouncing the honor, he stated:

“Today, I have no choice but to give up this high Polish award.” — Leonid Kuchma

His statement underscores the gravity of the protest and signals solidarity with President Zelenskyy.

Viktor Yushchenko, Ukraine’s president from 2005 to 2010, also joined his predecessors in rejecting the award. Petro Poroshenko, who held the presidency from 2014 to 2019, voiced strong disapproval of the Polish leader’s decision, saying:

“I consider Polish President Karol Nawrocki’s move to be mistaken and unfair toward the people of Ukraine.” — Petro Poroshenko

This unified stance highlights a rare show of agreement among Ukrainian political figures in defense of the sitting president.

Political Fallout

On June 19, 2023, Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced the revocation of Zelenskyy’s award, triggering the former presidents’ collective refusal. The following day, June 20, 2023, Zelenskyy returned his own Order of the White Eagle to Warsaw, further emphasizing his position on the matter.

This controversy surrounding the Order of the White Eagle has become more than a symbolic gesture—it now represents a significant strain in Ukraine-Poland relations. The former leaders’ rejection of the honor reflects deep frustration with the Polish government’s actions, potentially affecting diplomatic ties between the two nations. The incident underscores the critical need for mutual support, especially given the ongoing challenges Ukraine faces on the global stage.