Zelenskyy's chief of staff renounces Polish medal as WWII dispute deepens

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s chief of staff, Kyrylo Budanov, announced the plan to renounce the Polish state medal after President Karol Nawrocki stripped President Zelenskiy of Poland’s top honour, Order of the White Eagle.

The tension was triggered by President Zelenskyy’s recent decision to name a Ukrainian special forces military unit “Heroes of the UPA.”

In Poland, UPA is considered highly controversial as Poles associate with the brutal massacre of tens of thousands of Polish civilians during the World War II, which Poland officially recognizes as genocide.

On Friday, Nawrocki revoked the Order of the White Eagle from Zelenskiy, stating the decision to honor the UPA is "incomprehensible and deeply disappointing," arguing that such glorification is incompatible with the values of a united Europe and respectful reconciliation.

In response, Budanov renounced the Golden Officer's Cross of the Order ‌of ⁠Merit of the Republic of Poland, awarded to him last year, to protest against a move he described as "a gift" for Russia.

He posted on ​social media"Our nations ​have long-standing ​relations and ⁠different pages of history - both heroic and tragic. However, this should be an ​occasion ⁠for deep reflection, not crude political speculation."

However, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the Polish President’s move a “strategic error.” On the other hand, Polish PM Donald Tusk urged both countries to resolve the issue with a conciliatory tone.