Polish President's Spokesman: Nawrocki Raises UPA Issue Internationally

Rafał Leszkiewicz, the spokesman for the Polish president, stated in an interview with TV Republika that the current situation regarding the naming of a Ukrainian unit after the "Heroes of the UPA" has an important educational dimension. He emphasized that Poland is discussing this issue not only domestically but also on international forums, to explain why this decision by the Ukrainian president negatively impacts Polish-Ukrainian relations – in symbolic, political, and social terms.

Leszkiewicz added that the Polish side expects President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to change his decision. "We will wait a bit longer to see if President Zelenskyy changes his decision. Diplomacy is based on the principles of reciprocity, so this decision must face a tough reaction from President Karol Nawrocki," he said.

Earlier, Marcin Przydacz, head of the International Policy Bureau of the Polish president, stated that it depends on the Ukrainian side whether Karol Nawrocki will revoke the order from his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that Zelenskyy did not intend to offend Poland with the naming, but the Ukrainian side lacks sensitivity.

On Monday, a meeting of the chapter of the Order of the White Eagle took place in Poland, where one of the topics was President Nawrocki's proposal to strip the award from his Ukrainian counterpart Zelenskyy.