Poland's president strips Zelenskyy of top honor

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Poland Revokes Highest State Honor From President Zelenskyy

   President Karol Nawrocki stripped Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle. The decision follows Ukraine's choice to name an army unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. Top Ukrainian officials responded by returning their own Polish state awards.

   What's confirmed:

   • President Karol Nawrocki revoked the Order of the White Eagle from Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
   • The Order of the White Eagle is Poland's highest state distinction.
   • The move followed the naming of a Ukrainian army unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.
   • Ukrainian officials returned Polish awards in response to the decision.
   confidence 100%
2. 2d ago

   Poland Strips Zelenskyy of Highest State Honor Over WWII Dispute

   Polish President Karol Nawrocki revoked Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Order of the White Eagle after Ukraine named a military unit after a WWII paramilitary group. In response, Zelenskyy and several top Ukrainian officials returned their Polish state awards. The move has strained diplomatic ties between the two allies.

   What's confirmed:

   • President Karol Nawrocki stripped Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Poland's highest award, the Order of the White Eagle.
   • The decision followed Zelenskyy's naming of a military unit after a WWII paramilitary group.
   • Volodymyr Zelenskyy returned the state honor after it was revoked.
   • Ukraine's foreign minister and the Ukrainian ambassador to Poland returned their Polish state awards.
   • Zelenskyy's chief of staff renounced his Polish medal.
   • Karol Nawrocki announced the decision on Friday, June 19, 2026.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • The Polish foreign minister informed the president that Moscow welcomed the decision.
   • Some individuals in Ukraine criticized the decision to return the honors.
   confidence 95%