Poland’s interest is in building the best possible relations with Ukraine, based on a vision of the future rather than the traumas of the past. This was stated by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk ahead of a government meeting. The public scandal that has unfolded between the Ukrainian and Polish leadership concerns historical issues. However, in reality, much broader problems may lie behind it.
He noted the heroism of Ukrainian soldiers defending against Russian aggression, as well as the “strong impression made by Polish solidarity and the self-sacrifice of Poles who, without any coercion, provided assistance to hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian women and men.”
Tusk expressed hope that this would become a positive turning point in Polish-Ukrainian relations. However, in his view, there are politicians in both countries who, for various reasons, are more interested in fueling tension than in building solidarity and harmony between Ukraine and Poland. The Polish head of government believes it is currently very easy to inflame anti-Polish sentiment in Ukraine and anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland.
“I am convinced that Poland’s long-term interest is to build the best possible relations based on a vision of the future rather than the traumas of the past, although these traumas, especially on the Polish side, are quite understandable,” he emphasized.
Tusk assured that he would not participate in any actions that increase tensions between the states and expressed hope that he would not remain alone in this stance.
“The future undeniably requires us, if we seriously think about it, to seek what unites us and what can be a shared interest of Poland and Ukraine,” he added.
- On June 19, 2026, Nawrocki stripped Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle—the highest state award of Poland. The reason was the Ukrainian president’s decision to grant an honorary designation to a unit of the Ukrainian Armed Forces named “Heroes of the UPA.”
- In response, Zelensky returned the award to Poland, sending it to Nawrocki by post. Zelensky believes that the Polish president is “continuing political struggle within his country through hatred toward Ukrainians.”
- Recipients of the Order of the White Eagle, including Kuchma, Yushchenko, and Poroshenko, also renounced it.
