According to the report, one option under consideration would be to reference only those UPA members who fought against the Soviet Union. The final decision, however, would rest with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Sources told Wirtualna Polska that Budanov received a cool reception in Warsaw. Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz openly expressed dissatisfaction with Ukraine’s decision to honor UPA fighters, while Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski reportedly did not alter his schedule to meet the Ukrainian delegation.
Kosiniak-Kamysz said he “cannot imagine Ukraine continuing its current historical policy” and stressed that “the memory of the victims of Volhynia is not subject to negotiation.”
According to the report, the most important meeting of the visit was with Marcin Przydacz, a close ally of Polish President Karol Nawrocki.
Wirtualna Polska said Kyiv is particularly concerned that Nawrocki could move to revoke the Order of the White Eagle awarded to Zelenskyy by former President Andrzej Duda in April 2023. Ukrainian officials reportedly view the issue less as a matter of the award itself and more as a symbolic and political signal that could further damage bilateral relations.
Sources told the outlet that none of the meetings in Warsaw produced concrete results, with the Polish side maintaining a firm position throughout the discussions.
One Polish source quoted by the publication said Warsaw is “angry with the Ukrainians,” arguing that Ukrainian politicians have shown insufficient restraint on historical issues.
The report added that Kyiv is prepared to take additional steps in the field of historical policy, including issuing more permits for the search and exhumation of victims of the Volhynia tragedy.
Kosiniak-Kamysz said on June 6 that he discussed the issue with Budanov and clearly presented Poland’s position and expectations regarding any future decision by Zelenskyy.
Background
President Zelenskyy signed decree No. 440/2026 on May 26, granting the Separate Northern Special Operations Center of Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces the honorary title “Heroes of the UPA.”
Following the decision, Polish President Karol Nawrocki proposed stripping Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle. Duda later said the award had been presented “at a different time and under different circumstances.”
Budanov visited Poland on June 5 and met with Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Bosacki, discussing the controversy surrounding the unit’s designation and presenting Kyiv’s proposals for resolving the dispute.