Key facts
- The European Commission warned that a public dispute between Poland and Ukraine undermines unity and aids Russia.
- Tensions escalated after Ukraine named a military unit after the UPA, which Poland considers responsible for massacres.
- Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Poland's highest state honor, the Order of the White Eagle.
- Zelenskyy appeared to show the medal being returned, with other Ukrainian figures also returning Polish decorations.
- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the confrontation as a 'strategic mistake'.
- Ukrainian President Zelenskyy will skip the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk.
Brussels has issued a stark warning as tensions between Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy escalate, stating that such disputes undermine political unity and play directly into Russia's hands.
Paula Pino, the European Commission's chief spokesperson, told journalists that unity is the strongest tool against the unprovoked war in Ukraine and that anything undermining it, including disputes between a member state and Ukraine, is unhelpful. She added that the only happy observer in such situations is the aggressor.
The row intensified after Zelenskyy signed a decree naming a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a World War II-era movement admired in Ukraine but held responsible in Poland for massacres of Poles. In response, Nawrocki announced he would strip Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle, Poland's highest honor, calling it a 'warning signal'. Zelenskyy subsequently posted a photo appearing to show the medal being returned, with other Ukrainian figures also returning their Polish decorations.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the confrontation as a 'strategic mistake that will cost both sides'. The dispute comes shortly before Poland is set to host the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk, which Zelenskyy was expected to attend but will now skip. Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko will lead Ukraine's delegation.
The European Commission confirmed that President Ursula von der Leyen will participate in the recovery conference as planned and offered to mediate between the two parties, expressing confidence that the issue will be resolved and will not hinder the conference.