Former Ukrainian foreign minister reminds Poland of controversial recipients of Order of White Eagle
Following Polish President Karol Nawrocki's decision to strip Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle, former Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba has pointed out that fascist leader Benito Mussolini and Empress Catherine II (the "Great") of Russia have remained recipients of the order to this day.
Source: Kuleba on Facebook, as reported by European Pravda
Details: Describing Nawrocki's decision as scandalous, Kuleba recalled several controversial historical figures who nevertheless held the order.
"Catherine II was the empress of Russia. Benito Mussolini was the fascist leader of Italy and an ally of Adolf Hitler. What unites these two people, separated by more than 150 years? Catherine II destroyed the Polish state during the partitions, finishing it off in 1795. Mussolini supported Hitler when he destroyed the Polish state in 1939. To this day, both are still recipients of Poland's highest award – the Order of the White Eagle," Kuleba wrote.
Yet, he went on, Nawrocki has decided that it is Zelenskyy who should be stripped of the order.
"You're targeting the wrong people, Nawrocki. Ratings and hatred towards Ukrainians are blinding the eyes that should see the real threat to Poland. But Ukraine is fighting it, not President Nawrocki. Ukrainians, let us remain calm. Everything has its time," he added.
Background:
- On 19 June, Nawrocki decided to strip Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle over the decision to grant a unit of the Ukrainian Armed Forces the honorary designation "named after the Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army".
- Following this decision, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said he would be returning his high state award to Poland.
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