Budanov stated that he is declining the Gold Officer's Cross of the Order
Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, announced that he is declining the Gold Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, which had previously been awarded to him by the President of Poland. He explained his decision by citing political moves by the Polish side and the escalation of public rhetoric between the two countries.
Budanov emphasized that he considers his decision a principled stance related to issues of mutual respect and historical memory.
Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, announced that he is declining the Gold Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of Poland, which he was awarded last year. He announced this in a Facebook post.
According to Budanov, the decision is linked to recent actions by the Polish side and the political context, which, in his view, is worsening relations between the two countries. “Unfortunately, Polish President Karol Nawrocki committed an unfriendly act toward our people by stripping the President of Ukraine of the Order of the White Eagle that had previously been awarded to him,” he noted.
Budanov emphasized that he considers such steps to be politically motivated and capable of being exploited against both countries in the information sphere. “Undoubtedly, this is a gift to the Moscow aggressor, who will certainly use it against both of our countries,” the head of the Presidential Office stressed.
He also stated that historical disputes between Ukraine and Poland should not become a tool for political speculation but should be discussed with respect and through dialogue. “Ukraine does not tell any other nation how to teach its history. Therefore, we reserve the just right to our own national memory and dignity,” he said.
Budanov added that Ukraine reserves the right to assess the situation but will continue to advocate for an equal partnership with its allies. “However, an equal partnership based on the principles of mutual respect,” he emphasized.
At the same time, he stated that Ukraine will continue to counter Russian aggression and remain part of Europe’s security architecture. “But like any Ukrainian, I cannot stand aside and simply watch as a campaign of hatred is groundlessly and artificially whipped up against our citizens,” Budanov noted.
At the end of his statement, he confirmed his refusal of the award. “In light of this, I am declining the Gold Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland,” he said. Budanov expressed confidence that Ukrainian society would view this step as a principled stance. He announced this on Facebook.
A new diplomatic scandal has erupted between Ukraine and Poland following Warsaw’s decision regarding the Order of the White Eagle, which had previously been awarded to Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki has not yet made a decision regarding the revocation of the Order of the White Eagle from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy due to the controversy surrounding the name of a unit of the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces.
Poland has stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could lose the country’s highest state award—the Order of the White Eagle—if Kyiv does not reconsider its decision to bestow the honorary title “Heroes of the UPA” on one of its military units.
