A senior aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he will return a Polish state honour in protest, after Poland’s president stripped Zelenskyy of the country’s highest award over a historical dispute.
Kyrylo Budanov, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, announced on Saturday that he would give up the Golden Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, which he was awarded last year.
His decision follows a move by Polish President Karol Nawrocki to revoke the Order of the White Eagle from Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Karol Nawrocki said on Friday that he was withdrawing the honour after Ukraine renamed a military unit after World War Two-era Ukrainian insurgents, a group widely blamed in Poland for massacres of Polish civilians during the conflict.
The issue touches on long-standing historical grievances between the two nations, even as they have recently worked closely together in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Kyrylo Budanov strongly criticised the move, suggesting it would benefit Moscow at a time when Ukraine is seeking sustained international support.
He described the Polish decision as “a gift” to Russia and called for a more measured approach to historical disagreements.
“Our nations have long-standing relations and different pages of history – both heroic and tragic,” Kyrylo Budanov said in a social media post. “However, this should be an occasion for deep reflection, not crude political speculation.”
Other Ukrainian officials have also voiced concern. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha earlier described the decision as a “strategic error”, warning it could undermine unity among allies.
In Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who has political differences with Karol Nawrocki, called for calm and urged both sides to avoid escalation.
The dispute marks a rare public rift between Warsaw and Kyiv, which have been close partners since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Poland has been a key supporter of Ukraine, providing military, political and humanitarian assistance, while serving as a major transit hub for Western aid.
However, the latest row underlines how unresolved historical issues can resurface even during periods of strong political alignment.
Analysts say the disagreement could complicate efforts by Kyiv to maintain a united front among European allies as it continues to press for support in its war with Russia.
While both governments have emphasised the importance of cooperation, the exchange highlights the delicate balance between present-day alliances and historical memory in the region.
For now, the symbolic dispute over honours has taken on broader diplomatic significance, raising questions about how the two countries will navigate their shared past while maintaining their strategic partnership.
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