Zelensky honors EU Commission President von der Leyen with Ukraine’s Order of Europe

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presented the newly established Order of Europe to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during her visit to Kyiv on 15 July 2026. The award recognised von der Leyen’s “exceptional personal contributions to supporting Ukraine’s strategic path toward full EU membership, strengthening its defence resilience and advancing international cooperation for democracy, peace and good neighbourly relations,” according to the decree released by the Ukrainian parliament.

Zelensky’s remarks implied a subtle signal to Poland, which a month earlier had revoked its highest state honour from the Ukrainian president over his acceptance of the name “Heroes of UPA‑e” for a Ukrainian Armed Forces unit. While the president did not mention the Polish decision directly, he emphasized that the honour “no one can ever take away,” underscoring Ukraine’s commitment to keep its word.

The decree also formalises the Order of Europe as a new state decoration to be awarded to individuals for outstanding personal merits that advance Ukraine’s integration with the European Union and support the security and democratic values of the continent.