Zelensky stripped of highest Polish honour over WW2 name of army unit

The decision by Poland to revoke President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Order of the White Eagle over Ukraine’s naming of a military unit after a World War II-era nationalist group underscores the deep and often painful historical fault lines between two nations that now share a critical geopolitical alignment. While the move may be framed in Warsaw as a principled stand against glorifying organizations linked to anti-Semitic or anti-Polish activities, it also risks overshadowing the broader strategic partnership between Poland and Ukraine. The Order of the White Eagle, one of Poland’s most prestigious honors, has been awarded to foreign leaders since 1705, making this revocation a rare and symbolic rebuke—one that signals how historical memory can still shape contemporary diplomacy. The controversy centers on Ukraine’s decision to name a brigade after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a nationalist force active during and after World War II. The UPA fought against Nazi occupation but also engaged in violent campaigns against Polish civilians in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia, actions that Poland has long condemned as ethnic cleansing. For decades, the UPA’s legacy has been a source of tension between the two countries, with Poland’s right-wing governments often pressing Ukraine to acknowledge these atrocities. Yet Kyiv has defended the naming as a tribute to those who fought for independence, framing it as part of a broader nation-building narrative. The timing of Poland’s move—amid Russia’s war in Ukraine—raises questions about whether historical grievances are being weaponized at the expense of wartime solidarity. Looking ahead, the fallout could strain bilateral relations just as Poland’s role as a key NATO backer of Ukraine faces renewed scrutiny. Poland has been one of Kyiv’s strongest supporters, supplying weapons and hosting millions of Ukrainian refugees, but this decision may embolden critics who argue that Warsaw’s historical resentments outweigh its strategic interests. Meanwhile, Zelensky’s government is unlikely to reverse the brigade’s name, given the domestic political costs of appearing weak on national sovereignty. The episode also highlights how post-Soviet states continue to grapple with the legacies of collaboration and resistance during World War II—a debate that shows no signs of fading. As Poland and Ukraine navigate this tension, the broader lesson may be that even allies with shared enemies can find their unity tested by questions of identity and history.