The relationship between Warsaw and Kiev is getting colder: Poland has withdrawn the country's most prestigious award from President Zelensky.

On June 19, the President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, decided to withdraw the honorary title of the Order of the White Eagle from Volodymyr Zelensky, the highest distinction of the country, as a result of the controversies generated by the renaming of a Ukrainian military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).

Nawrocki emphasized that Poland cannot ignore the sacrifices of its ancestors and mentioned that the attitude of Poles towards Ukraine has deteriorated due to this action. Criticism was also expressed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who pointed out that this controversy could benefit Russia. The UPA is associated with the massacres against Poles during World War II, which intensified grievances.

The reaction from Ukraine was vehement, with officials accusing Poland of impulsive measures. Despite the tensions, Nawrocki reaffirmed Poland's support for Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of maintaining diplomatic relations. The Order of the White Eagle, established in 1705, is a distinction reserved for those who have significantly contributed to the Polish state and international relations.