Another senior Ukrainian official returns Polish award over Polish president's decision

Ihor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the President's Office of Ukraine, has said he will return a Polish state award given to him following Polish President Karol Nawrocki's decision to revoke the Order of the White Eagle awarded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Source: Zhovkva on Facebook, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zhovkva said Nawrocki's decision was a step that cannot be seen as either morally just or politically justified, since the awarding of the order to Zelenskyy was also recognition of Ukraine's struggle at the most difficult moment in its modern history and of the contribution Ukrainian defenders are making to Europe's future.

Quote: "It was a great honour for me to accept the Polish state distinction – the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland – which was awarded to me in 2022 for developing Ukrainian-Polish understanding and partnership. But under the current circumstances, I do not consider it possible to continue keeping this award. With respect for the Polish people and gratitude to all Poles who have supported and continue to support Ukraine, I have decided to return the order."

More details: Zhovkva also thanked all Poles who have provided Ukraine with significant support during the years of war and stressed that Ukrainians will always remember this solidarity.

Quote: "That is why today I once again thank the thousands of Polish families who extended a helping hand and continue to support Ukrainians in the most difficult time, Polish volunteers who help us hold back the Russian onslaught, Polish officials who, despite everything, continue to build a genuine Ukrainian-Polish partnership and Polish friends who understand the value of our unity in the face of a common threat.

There has always been and remains a chance to create a new history between our peoples based on the formula 'we forgive and ask for forgiveness'... I am convinced that mutual respect and historical justice must remain the foundation of relations between our peoples."

Background:

• Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Bodnar, and Head of the President's Office Kyrylo Budanov announced that they would return the Polish state awards they had received.
• On the evening of 19 June, Polish President Karol Nawrocki decided to strip Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle in connection with the naming of one of the Ukrainian units after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army and stated that Poland would not allow EU accession for those who do not understand the need to renounce the "cult of totalitarianism and violence".
• Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed regret that the dispute between Poland and Ukraine was further deepening, noting that it only "pleases Putin and shocks our allies". Meanwhile, he did not comment on whether he would take the necessary procedural steps to endorse Nawrocki's decision.
• The Ukrainian side has not yet commented on whether the scandal will affect Zelenskyy's trip to Gdańsk, where this year's Ukraine Recovery Conference is due to take place.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!