Polish‑Ukrainian diplomatic clash over UPA legacy and White Eagle Order

Poland’s defence minister Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamysz warned that Ukraine’s continued commemoration of the UPA (Bandera) movement would block the country’s EU accession, a statement that prompted sharp criticism from Russian foreign‑ministry spokeswoman Maria Zacharowa, who accused Polish authorities of supporting the “Bandera regime”.

The controversy intensified after the Polish government withdrew the Order of the White Eagle from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a move condemned by former foreign minister Jacek Czaputowicz, who called the decision a diplomatic error and defended Ukraine’s right to honour its wartime units. Polish media also reported a TVP commentator’s claim that Poland supports Russia’s aggression, a claim subsequently denied by officials.

Social‑media analysis by Res Futura showed a rise in negative Polish commentary about Ukraine, with criticism increasing from 15 % to 22 % of posts in June 2026. Topics most discussed included Zelensky, the UPA, and Poland’s foreign‑policy stance. Former prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki also entered the debate, accusing Polish politicians of stoking Polish‑Ukrainian tensions.