Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on June 8, 2026, called for direct talks between Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to ease tensions triggered by Ukraine naming a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) [1, 2].
In May 2026, Ukraine renamed a special operations unit with the honorary title "Heroes of the UPA," prompting outrage in Poland due to the UPA's role in massacres against Poles during World War II [1, 2]. The UPA fought against both Nazi and Soviet forces but was responsible for the killing of around 100,000 Poles in the Volhynia massacres between 1943 and 1945, with reprisal killings occurring on both sides [1].
In response, Polish President Nawrocki announced plans to seek revocation of the Order of the White Eagle, Poland's highest honor, which was awarded to Zelenskiy in 2023 [1, 2]. Tusk said diplomacy had failed and urged the two presidents to have a "direct and honest conversation." He added, "cooperation is in the interest of both our states and nations, while conflict serves Moscow's interests. That should be obvious to all of us" [1, 2].
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said soldiers who chose the UPA name intended to honor the UPA's fight against Moscow and did not aim to offend Poland [1]. Meanwhile, Polish public opinion toward Ukraine has soured in recent years due to the refugee influx, grain import disputes, and the legacy of World War II massacres [1].
The controversy dates back to May 26, 2026, when President Zelenskiy signed a decree granting the honorary title to the special operations unit [2]. In May 2026, President Nawrocki declared his intent to pursue revocation of Zelenskiy’s Order of the White Eagle because of the renaming [1, 2].
Prime Minister Tusk’s call on June 8 sets a date for potential dialogue between Warsaw and Kyiv aimed at resolving the dispute and restoring cooperation amid ongoing security concerns in the region [1, 2].
