Polish Senate deputy marshal returns two Ukrainian state awards

Michał Kamiński, Deputy Marshal of the Polish Senate, has decided to return two Ukrainian state awards amid escalating historical tensions between Kyiv and Warsaw following the controversy surrounding the Order of the White Eagle.

Source: Polish media outlet 300Polityka, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Kamiński said his decision was prompted by "the actions and statements of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which have been supported by all former presidents of Ukraine and the vast majority of the Ukrainian political class".

"I accepted these decorations as an expression of recognition for my many years of commitment to building a strategic partnership between Poland and Ukraine. I received them, among other things, for authoring the first-ever report in the history of the European Parliament concerning Ukraine's membership of the European Union," the politician said in a letter.

He added that Poland "was an advocate for Ukraine in Europe" and also provided political, economic and diplomatic support to Kyiv.

Kamiński said he had accepted the awards as symbols of the shared values of the two countries. However, he added that he could no longer keep them because "the highest authorities of Ukraine and a significant part of its political elites have still not managed to unequivocally condemn the perpetrators of the Volhynian massacre and the mass murders committed against citizens of the Republic of Poland".

Quote: "Poland will not impose its own vision of history on anyone. However, it is equally obvious that Poland has the right to evaluate these choices. If individuals responsible for mass crimes against civilians are made national heroes, Poland has not only the right but also the obligation to react."

Details: Kamiński wrote that the decision had been made "with deep regret", but said he is convinced that genuine partnership between nations "can only be built on the foundation of truth, respect for victims, and mutual honesty".

Background:

• On the evening of 19 June, Polish President Karol Nawrocki took the decision to strip Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle in connection with the naming of a Ukrainian military unit after the Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. He said Poland would not allow EU accession for those who do not understand the need to renounce the "cult of totalitarianism and violence".
• Following the decision, a number of current and former Ukrainian officials announced that they would return their Polish honours. Questions were also raised about whether Zelenskyy would attend this year's Ukraine Recovery Conference, scheduled to take place in Gdańsk, Poland.
• Zbigniew Bogucki, Head of the Chancellery of the President of Poland, criticised Ukrainian officials for returning Polish state awards.

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