Former Deputy Head of the National Police Urged Against Escalating Tensions with Poland
Vyacheslav Abroskin, former first deputy head of the National Police of Ukraine, urged against rushing to have Ukrainian officials return Polish state awards en masse, stressing that such steps could harm relations between Ukraine and Poland. He stressed that political disputes should not overshadow years of mutual support between the two nations.
His statement came in response to public discussions surrounding the return of orders following decisions by Polish authorities regarding certain Ukrainian recipients.
In a Facebook post, Abroskin noted that he does not support the idea of demonstratively returning Polish state honors, even though he understands the emotional and political aspects of such decisions. According to him, such steps could be perceived as escalating diplomatic tensions and create additional difficulties in relations between Kyiv and Warsaw.
At the same time, he acknowledged that many Ukrainians view Polish awards, particularly the Order of the White Eagle, as a symbol of recognition of Ukraine’s struggle in the war, and not merely as personal honors for individual politicians. This is precisely why the issue has become particularly sensitive in public discourse and elicits a range of emotional reactions. Abroskin emphasized that diplomacy, even during difficult times, must be based on maintaining channels of communication, as abrupt actions can complicate future dialogue between nations. He cautioned that high-profile political decisions sometimes create more problems than they solve.
Separately, he noted that he himself holds a Polish state award, received from Polish President Andrzej Duda, but does not plan to return it, as he views it as recognition of specific professional achievements. At the same time, he recalled the extensive support the Polish people have provided to Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war.
In conclusion, Abroskin urged both sides not to lose sight of the strategic perspective in relations between the two countries, emphasizing that mutual conflicts can only benefit third parties. He specifically noted that a deterioration in Ukrainian-Polish relations under the current circumstances could play into the hands of Russia, which is interested in driving a wedge between the allies. This is according to his Facebook post.
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