Head of the Presidential Chancellery, Zbigniew Bogucki, admitted that if the Chapter of the Order supports Karol Nawrocki’s motion, the procedure will most likely require the countersignature of the head of government. “This will also be a certain test of the prime minister,” Bogucki said, referring to the growing dispute surrounding the Ukrainian authorities’ decision to honor a unit bearing the name “Heroes of the UPA”.
On Friday, President Karol Nawrocki expressed outrage at Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decision to name one of Ukraine’s special units “Heroes of the UPA”. During a briefing, the Polish president informed journalists that he had submitted a request to the Chapter of the Order of the White Eagle, which will meet on June 8, to strip the Ukrainian president of the Order. At the same time, he noted that the final decision rests with him.
The decision by the Ukrainian president has been criticized across the Polish right. The ruling coalition, however, has taken a different stance, accusing President Nawrocki of “being driven by emotions”.
The Ukrainian side, responding to the controversy, continues to emphasize the narrative of the voluntary “choice of national heroes”. This morning, Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha wrote that “the escalation of relations between Ukraine and Poland brings no benefit to either Ukrainians or Poles”.
Speaking on a program by Super Express, Zbigniew Bogucki described the Ukrainian side’s actions as “unacceptable”.
“First, there is the matter of President Nawrocki’s decision to have the Chapter examine the issue of revoking the highest Polish decoration, the Order of the White Eagle. This will take place next week, at the beginning of the week. The Chapter of the Order of the White Eagle – distinguished individuals who themselves have received this highest Polish honor – will decide on this,” he said.
He stressed: “There is a clear position of President Nawrocki that such a situation cannot be allowed, where someone awarded the Order of the White Eagle simultaneously names a unit after individuals who murdered Poles in a brutal manner – women, children – who were part of the genocide committed against Poles in Volhynia and Eastern Lesser Poland.”
“This is absolutely unacceptable. Of course, the decision belongs to the Chapter, but I hope it will make such a decision. This is the step that President Nawrocki could take and has taken,” he added.
Bogucki also noted that he is not directly responsible for matters related to state decorations within the Chancellery. However, he explained that awarding orders is a presidential prerogative explicitly stemming from the Constitution, meaning the president acts independently in such cases.
Referring to the required countersignature of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, he said:
“However, if there were to be a decision concerning the revocation of the Order of the White Eagle following the Chapter’s resolution, it appears that this is not directly specified in the Constitution, and in such a case, the prime minister’s countersignature would most likely be required,” he stated, adding, “this will also be a test of whether the prime minister, if such a formal path is chosen, will sign – will countersign – such a decision of the President of the Republic.”