Zelensky Faces Diplomatic Crisis After Naming Army Unit After WWII Insurgent Group

Sat Jun 13 2026 13:13:30 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Ukraine’s president faces a diplomatic crisis after naming a unit after WWII insurgent army. Poland’s president threatens to strip Ukraine’s White Eagle award.

Ukraine's decision to name a Special Operations unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army sparked backlash from Poland, which viewed the UPA as responsible for wartime atrocities. President Karol Nawrocki threatened to revoke Zelensky's Order of the White Eagle and called the decree a glorification of bandits. Polish MPs, including those from the Law and Justice party, called for a reassessment of ties, while Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged dialogue. Ukraine has yet to respond overtly, and Zelensky's chief of staff visited Warsaw in an attempt to calm tensions. The dispute risks wider political fallout and could affect Ukraine’s post‑war reconstruction conference in Poland.

Zelensky Faces Diplomatic Crisis After Naming Army Unit After WWII Insurgent Group

Ukraine’s top leadership has triggered a tense dispute with a key ally when President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree naming a Special Operations Forces unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a group active during the 1940s and 1950s.

Reuters Two men laugh with each other while soldiers stand to attention behind them — Poland's President Karol Nawrocki indicates his decision will be made later

Polish Reaction

Poland’s president, Karol Nawrocki, is negotiating with the Order of the White Eagle council and warned that Zelensky could lose that honour. He criticised the decree as a “glorification of bandits and killers” and cited the UPA’s role in the 1943‑45 violent campaigns against ethnic Poles in Volhynia.

Opposition Voices

Law and Justice MPs have called for a dramatic reassessment of relations with Kyiv. Far‑right figures such as Krzysztof Bosak suggested Ukraine should drop Starlink satellite support and stall EU accession until the naming issue is reversed.

Attempted Diplomacy

Following the threats, Zelensky’s chief of staff, Kyrylo Budanov, flew to Warsaw to ease tensions. A meeting with Nawrocki ended without an agreement, leaving Prime Minister Donald Tusk to urge both sides “to have a direct and honest conversation.”

Broader Implications

The dispute threatens to widen internal partisan divides in Poland and could derail a planned post‑war reconstruction summit in Gdańsk. Analysts warn that further retaliation could worsen relations and hamper cooperation with Ukraine, which remains a vital partner in the fight against Russian aggression.