A Polish columnist called the decision to strip Zelenskyy of his order "shameful"

The decision by Polish President Karol Nawrocki to strip Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Republic of Poland’s highest state award—the Order of the White Eagle—has sparked a wave of harsh criticism within the Polish community. 

Sławomir Sierakowski, editor-in-chief of the influential publication Krytyka Polityczna and a well-known columnist, called this move shameful and frankly harmful to Poland’s own national security. 

According to Serakowski, such an act is absolutely unacceptable from both a moral and a purely pragmatic standpoint. He emphasized that people are dying every day in Ukraine while holding back Russian aggression, including to ensure the security of Poland’s borders. The columnist added that Warsaw’s security today depends on Kyiv’s resilience even more than on support from the United States, and that the actions of the current Polish leader are a repetition of tragic historical mistakes.

“There have been many instances in Polish history when it would have been enough to treat Ukrainians honestly and as partners, and Poland would not have disappeared from the map. Navrotsky, with his questionable background and harmful decisions, is a disgrace to Poland,” emphasized the editor-in-chief of Krytyka Polityczna. Serafowski also expressed hope that the Ukrainian leadership would demonstrate wisdom and diplomatic restraint and would not associate the entire Polish people with the current political camp, which, instead of strengthening allied support, is dealing reputational and political blows to Ukraine.

He made these remarks in an interview with Ukrinform.