Zelenskyy Compared Navrotsky to Orbán
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Polish President Karol Nawrocki is exploiting the Ukrainian issue in domestic politics in the same way that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán did. According to the head of state, attempts to score political points by capitalizing on anti-Ukrainian sentiment could have dangerous consequences for relations between the two countries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy drew parallels between the policies of Polish President Karol Nawrocki and the actions of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The head of state made this statement in an interview with TSN.Tyzhden.
According to Zelenskyy, he does not understand Polish politicians who try to capitalize on anti-Ukrainian sentiments among certain segments of society. “We cannot help but be partners or friends with the Poles, because we are neighbors. If you’re not a partner, not a friend—then who are you? Over the years, over the decades, this turns into what we have with the Russians—disrespect, aggression, and the radicalization of society. Into what Orbán has been doing,” the president said.
He recalled that the Hungarian prime minister had previously taken a hardline stance toward Ukraine and even sent signals that Kyiv perceived as unfriendly.
Zelenskyy is convinced that political struggle fueled by hatred can have serious consequences. “What will hatred in society lead to? To political ratings. This is a political struggle that could end badly. A very bad escalation. I believe that one cannot reap political dividends from hatred,” he emphasized. The president also recalled his meeting with Karol Nawrocki. According to Zelenskyy, after taking office, the Polish leader was in no hurry to visit Ukraine, and their first meeting took place on Polish soil.
During that meeting, as the head of state recounted, Nawrocki gave him a book about the Volhynia tragedy. “I don’t talk about that. We didn’t bring it up at the press conference. I’m at peace with it,” Zelenskyy noted.
Separately, the president commented on the debate surrounding the decision to name one of the Special Operations Forces units after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. According to Zelenskyy, he does not interfere in the choice of names proposed by the military itself. “I’ve signed such decrees hundreds of times during the war. Not once have I given our soldiers my own name, nor have I said what I like or dislike. If they are motivated by names and historical figures they respect, I must support their choice,” the president explained.
At the same time, he emphasized that he views the order he received from Poland not as a personal award, but as an honor for the entire Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian military. The head of state also stressed that Ukraine today is in fact defending not only itself but also European countries. “Right now, we are defending Poland. We are defending Europe—not the other way around. Our soldiers are defending it, and Ukrainians are dying,” Zelenskyy stated.
He added that historical issues between Kyiv and Warsaw must be discussed openly, but without losing sight of contemporary challenges and shared interests. “Poland must understand this. In addition to the historical issues we are openly discussing, there is also respect for the present, for our army, and for the future. Without Ukraine, no one will be able to defend Poland. If Ukraine is gone, there will be no more protected Poland,” the president said.
According to Zelenskyy, Karol Nawrocki’s decisions and statements indicate that the Polish leader is continuing his internal political struggle by exploiting the issue of Ukraine. “Now that he has made this decision, it means he is continuing a political struggle within his own country by stoking sentiment and hatred toward Ukrainians—just as Orbán did. It’s a bad story, and I believe it will end badly,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy concluded.
Despite disputes over certain historical and political issues, the Ukrainian president emphasized that Kyiv and Warsaw remain neighbors and partners, and that maintaining a normal dialogue between the two countries is important for their shared security. He made this statement over the weekend in an interview with TSN.Tyzhden.
The Speaker of the Polish Sejm suggested that Zelenskyy might not come to Gdańsk
Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman announced that he had returned the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, which he received in 2011 for promoting regional cooperation between Ukrainian and Polish cities.
On June 20, former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko also announced that he was renouncing the Polish state order, emphasizing that this step was not directed against the Polish people; at the same time, he also made critical remarks about incumbent President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Earlier, Zelenskyy had sent Navrotsky the Order of the White Eagle via Nova Poshta.
Following this, Leonid Kuchma declined the Polish Order of the White Eagle.
Ukraine’s third president, Viktor Yushchenko, also declined the Polish Order of the White Eagle.
In addition, Borys Tarasyuk will return his Polish order due to Navrotsky’s policies.
