Viktor Yushchenko. Photo: Yushchenko on Facebook
Ukraine's third president on renouncing Polish Order of White Eagle: Nawrocki's decision unquestionably irresponsible
Viktor Yushchenko, Ukraine's third president, has explained his decision to return the Order of the White Eagle, stressing that it is not an act of hostility but a gesture of solidarity with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukraine's Armed Forces.
Ukrainska Pravda
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Viktor Yushchenko, Ukraine's third president, has explained his decision to return the Order of the White Eagle, stressing that it is not an act of hostility but a gesture of solidarity with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukraine's Armed Forces.
Source: Yushchenko on Facebook
Details: Yushchenko noted that Ukrainians and Poles have been neighbours for centuries, often living on the same land and having different kinds of relations.
Quote: "The 20th century was particularly dramatic for us, marked by conflicts and even wars. Naturally, different views and assessments of those events persisted on the Ukrainian and Polish sides.
That is why I consider one of the most symbolic, difficult but important decisions to be the one taken back in 2003 by the presidents of Ukraine and Poland, as well as the governments and parliaments of both countries, to embrace a historic mutual reconciliation with a profound Christian meaning: 'We forgive and ask forgiveness'. It was a dignified and wise step."
Details: Yushchenko stressed that it is important to adhere to this political formula in the history of Ukraine and Poland and to avoid speculation or taking events out of context.
Quote: "A few words regarding the discussion about national heroes. Ukraine and Poland have had, of course, different histories and different heroes. We Ukrainians, including our authorities, have never sought to emphasise or determine for the Polish nation who your national heroes should be. That is your history and your choice. Obviously, Ukrainians do not need similar services. It is our sovereign right to determine who our national heroes are.
I reiterate: your heroes and ours are different people. But I am convinced that their selection is based on a socio-mental criterion. Namely, Ukraine's national heroes are those who devoted their struggle, health and lives to the freedom of the nation and the sovereignty of their state. I believe the Polish nation acts according to the same principle. Therefore, whose valiant name is given to a unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is the sovereign right of the Ukrainian nation and state."
Details: Yushchenko also described Polish President Karol Nawrocki's decision to strip his counterpart Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle as "unquestionably irresponsible".
Quote: "In 2005, I had the honour of receiving the Order of the White Eagle from president Aleksander Kwaśniewski. It was an award for the unity and solidarity of two great nations. I was guided by the fact that both nations found the courage to look each other in the eye, maintain dialogue, speak the truth and accept it, however bitter it might be. It was on this foundation that genuine reconciliation was built. It is no coincidence that the Polish people were among the first to extend a helping hand to Ukraine in the darkest days of 2022. It was an expression of great human solidarity that Ukrainians will never forget.
It pains us that at this fateful and bloody time, when Ukraine is fighting for its survival, we see steps that strike at our brotherhood. Yet we will not respond with hostility or humiliation. We are a nation with our own history, our own pride and our own truth."
Details: The third president described the return of the order as "a sign of deep protest against the current policy of Warsaw, which shows contempt for Ukrainian history, and a sign of absolute and unwavering solidarity with every one of our soldiers and with the president of Ukraine". He stressed that it was not an act of hatred, but one of exceptional dignity.
Previously: On 20 June, Ukraine's second president, Leonid Kuchma, announced that he is renouncing the Order of the White Eagle.
Later, fifth president Petro Poroshenko also rejected the same order.
Background:
On the evening of 19 June, Nawrocki took the decision to strip Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle in connection with the naming of a Ukrainian military unit after the Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.
On 20 June, Nawrocki explained that he had stripped Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle because Zelenskyy had crossed the Poles' "pain threshold".
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