Vasyl Bodnar returned the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland in protest against the deprivation of Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the highest Polish award.
Vasyl Bodnar / © interfax.com.ua
The Ambassador of Ukraine to Poland, Vasyl Bodnar, announced that he is returning his Polish state award – the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland.
The diplomat announced this in his address on Facebook.
Such a radical step was a reaction to the decision of the Polish side to deprive the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, of the highest state award. Bodnar called this decision “historically unjust.”
“Understanding the emotions prevailing in Poland, I cannot accept that the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy – a friend of Poland, the head of a state bravely defending itself against Russian aggression and protecting peace in Europe, has been stripped of the highest Polish award. In conditions of war… this decision is perceived as particularly painful and emotional, as a gesture towards the entire Ukrainian people. In these circumstances, I am forced to return the Officer’s Cross of the Order,” emphasized the Ukrainian ambassador.
“Moscow Always Benefits from Our Squabbles”
Despite the diplomatic démarche, Vasyl Bodnar stressed that Ukraine greatly values the support of millions of Poles who opened their homes to Ukrainian refugees in the most difficult times and will always appreciate this help.
The diplomat added that Kyiv and Warsaw have common security interests and together understand the threat from Russia, but urged the Polish side not to succumb to political conjuring.
“Let’s remember that the enemy – Moscow – always benefits from our squabbles. I once again call for an open conversation. I am confident that with good will, we will find reasonable solutions,” Bodnar concluded, expressing his conviction that wisdom in the relations between the two countries will ultimately overcome emotions.
Currently, the Polish side has not officially commented on the statement of the Ukrainian diplomat.
As a reminder, the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, stripped the President of Ukraine, **Volodymyr Zelenskyy**, of the Order of the White Eagle – the country’s highest state award. The decision was made due to Zelenskyy’s consent to name one of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine “Heroes of UPA.”
In response, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, **Andriy Sybiga**, stated that he is returning the Commander’s Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland to the Republic of Poland.
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