Polish Vice Speaker Michal Kaminski has returned two Ukrainian state orders to Kyiv, citing escalating diplomatic tensions following recent actions by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to a 22/6 report by Polish news outlet 300Polityka, Kaminski sent a letter to Vasyl Bodnar, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland, to announce his decision. Kaminski stated that his decision was a direct response to President Zelensky's actions, which included renaming a Ukrainian military unit "Heroes of UPA". This move, he noted, has been supported by former Ukrainian presidents and the majority of Ukraine's political establishment.

The Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) was a nationalist insurgent group active during World War II. The force fought against Nazi Germany, Soviet forces, and Polish units in the region. While some Ukrainians regard UPA members as "heroes" and a symbol of Kyiv's struggle for independence from Moscow, the group is also accused of participating in the Volhynia massacres between 1943 and 1945. Poland asserts that approximately 100,000 Poles were killed by Ukrainian nationalist forces during this period, with thousands of Ukrainians also dying in subsequent retaliatory attacks.

Polish Vice Speaker Michal Kaminski. Photo: Newsweek Polska

Kaminski explained that he had received the state orders from Kyiv in recognition of his many years of dedication to fostering Poland-Ukraine relations. "I received them, among other awards, for drafting the first report in the history of the European Parliament on Ukraine's membership in the European Union", Kaminski wrote in his letter, emphasizing Poland's political, economic, and diplomatic support for Kyiv. He stated that he could no longer retain the orders because Ukraine has not definitively condemned "those responsible for the Volhynia massacre and the mass killings of Polish citizens".

"Poland will not impose its own historical views on anyone. However, Poland has the right to evaluate these choices. If individuals responsible for mass crimes against civilians are honored as national heroes, Poland has a duty to react", Kaminski affirmed.

This latest development follows previous retaliatory actions. Poland had previously revoked the Order of the White Eagle, its highest award, which had been bestowed upon President Zelensky. In turn, Zelensky, along with former Ukrainian presidents and high-ranking officials, had also returned their respective orders to Poland.

Ngoc Anh (According to Kyiv Independent, Pravda, Yahoo News)