Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday accused Polish President Karol Nawrocki of seeking political gains by fueling anti-Ukrainian sentiment ahead of parliamentary elections in Poland in 2027. In an interview with the Ukrainian United News telethon, Zelenskyy compared Nawrocki’s actions to those of former Hungarian leader Viktor Orban, warning that such policies would “end badly.”

According to Anadolu Agency, Zelenskyy expressed concerns over attempts to gain political support by stoking hostility toward a neighboring nation, which he believes risk further radicalization of society and “can end in a very bad escalation.” He stressed the importance of Ukraine’s role in defending not only its own country but also the security of Poland and the rest of Europe, asserting, “Without Ukraine, nobody will be able to protect Poland. It is simply impossible.”

The tension escalated when Nawrocki revoked the Order of the White Eagle following outrage in Poland over Kyiv’s decision to name a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). This nationalist formation is held responsible by Polish historians and officials for the mass killing of tens of thousands of Polish civilians in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia during World War II. Nawrocki clarified that his actions were directed at the Ukrainian government’s recent decisions, not at the Ukrainian people, and insisted it did not indicate any change in Poland’s strategic support for Ukraine.

Zelenskyy, in response, stated that he returned Poland’s highest state honor, emphasizing Ukraine’s openness to maintaining dialogue with Poland to address difficult historical chapters and thanked the Polish people for their support and cooperation during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.