Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy returned the Order of the White Eagle to Poland on June 20, following a decision by Polish President Karol Nawrocki to revoke the honor. The diplomatic friction began after the Ukrainian government named a military unit the “Heroes of the UPA.” While the physical medal has been returned to the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland, legal experts indicate that the gesture does not formally conclude the revocation process.
What is the legal status of the returned order?
Although the physical medal is back in Polish possession, legal analyst Izdebski notes that returning an order is not equivalent to a formal, state-sanctioned deprivation of the honor. The procedure for stripping an individual of a state decoration remains distinct from a voluntary return. Even after the Chancellery of the President sent a formal resolution regarding the revocation to the Chancellery of the Prime Minister two days after Zelenskyy returned the medal, the issue remains unresolved.
Did You Know? The Order of the White Eagle is Poland’s highest honor. The current dispute follows a specific policy decision by the Ukrainian government to name a military unit “Heroes of the UPA,” which triggered the initial move by Polish authorities to withdraw the award.
Does the Prime Minister need to sign off on the revocation?
A significant constitutional question remains regarding whether the Prime Minister must provide a countersignature for the revocation to be legally binding. According to Izdebski, the Polish Constitution explicitly identifies the granting of orders as a presidential prerogative, meaning the head of state can act independently. However, the document is silent regarding the revocation of these honors, leading to a divide in legal doctrine.
Expert Insight: The conflict highlights a recurring tension in Polish constitutional law: the limits of presidential prerogative versus the requirement for executive countersignature. Because the constitution is not explicit on the removal of honors, the situation creates a potential procedural bottleneck. If the government refuses to provide a countersignature, it could force a standoff over whether the President’s authority to bestow an award inherently includes the power to unilaterally strip it away.
What happens next in the dispute?
Analysts suggest that an escalation of this conflict is unlikely. Izdebski observes that it is in the interest of all parties to treat the matter as closed rather than initiating a new political confrontation over the requirement of a countersign
