“Not Everyone in Poland Thinks Like Nawrocki”: Expert Explains How to Resolve the Conflict Over the Order of the White Eagle

Political analyst and serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Musiienko, stated that Poland wants to strip President Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle because of the UPA, even though the same award has been granted to fascists and collaborators, Politeka reports.

He spoke about this on his blog.

According to the expert, the Chapter of the Order — an advisory body to the President of Poland — has issued its recommendation regarding the Order of the White Eagle awarded to Zelenskyy. No details have been disclosed, but the final decision rests with Nawrocki. Thus, he notes, the escalation of the issue continues.

“Incidentally, Poland’s Deputy Minister of Science and Education, Sheptytskyi, recently spoke out in support of Ukraine. This sparked dissatisfaction among local radicals and conservatives. He stated that the UPA fought for Ukraine’s independence, just as Polish partisans fought for Poland’s. Yet he remains in office despite expressing support for Ukraine. We need to work with people like him, because not everyone in Poland thinks the way Nawrocki does,” Oleksandr Musiienko emphasized.

In the expert’s opinion, Poles would be better off questioning the Chapter and Nawrocki about other recipients of the Order of the White Eagle, such as Benito Mussolini, his son-in-law Galeazzo Ciano, Austro-Hungarian Admiral Miklós Horthy, the collaborator Philippe Pétain, and other controversial figures. Instead, he notes, they have focused on the UPA, accusing it of collaborating with the Nazis, even though a deeper examination of history is needed.

“So where is the consistency? Or is this simply another attempt to undermine Ukraine? The Polish authorities and the Polish government are looking in the wrong direction. They should be focusing on the threats coming from Putin. We are capable of finding common ground. And we should compile the evidence regarding the Order of the White Eagle, bring a stack of documents, and present it through diplomatic channels with solid arguments. Do you want to provoke an emotional reaction from us? Instead of emotions, we will respond with arguments, legal language, facts, and history,” Oleksandr Musiienko explained.