Poland‑Ukraine diplomatic row over WWII UPA name and White Eagle award

Polish President Karol Nawrocki withdrew the White Eagle Order from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 19 after Kyiv named a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a group that fought for Ukrainian independence but was also responsible for mass killings of Poles in Volhynia during World War II. The move sparked a diplomatic clash, prompting officials from both capitals to seek de‑escalation.

Poland’s foreign minister Radosław Sikorski and prime minister Donald Tusk warned against further escalation, while Ukraine’s acting foreign minister Andriy Sybiha said the chosen name “had no anti‑Poland intentions” and offered an “anti‑crisis package” that includes historian consultations and dialogue between religious leaders. Both sides emphasized the need to preserve their strategic partnership, which has been crucial since Russia’s 2022 invasion, with Poland hosting hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees and serving as a logistics hub for Western aid.

The dispute also touches on broader historical sensitivities, as the UPA fought both Nazis and Soviets and is viewed differently in Poland and Ukraine. Efforts continue to smooth relations while acknowledging the painful legacy of wartime atrocities.