Ukraine's Zelenskyy, top officials return Polish awards in WWII row

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Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try. Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST FAST KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his top officials said on Saturday (Jun 20) they were returning Polish awards, in a spiralling row with key ally Poland over WWII massacres.

Zelenskyy infuriated neighbouring Poland this month by naming a military unit after the nationalist Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) that took part in massacres against Poles in WWII.On Friday, hard-right Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle, the highest honour in Poland, despite requests from both Kyiv and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk."We believed that the Order of the White Eagle, awarded in 2023, was meant for the Ukrainian People and our army.

That is what was said at the time. Today, I sent the Order back to the President of Poland," Zelenskyy said on social media. CNA Games Guess Word Crack the word, one row at a time Buzzword Create words using the given letters Mini Sudoku Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser Mini Crossword Small grid, big challenge Word Search Spot as many words as you can Show More Show Less He posted a photo of the order being packaged for shipment from an ordinary post office, addressed to the Polish presidential chancellery."

Ukraine is grateful to the Polish People for their support and cooperation," Zelenskyy's statement added.In a statement revoking the award given by his predecessor, Nawrocki said that the move "is not directed against Ukrainian people" and that Poland would continue to support Ukraine. Related: Poland and Germany to sign scaled down defence deals Russian artist critical of Putin shot dead in Poland 'Gift to aggressor'On Saturday, Zelenskyy's top aide and Ukraine's ambassador to Warsaw followed Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga in saying they were relinquishing awards bestowed by Poland as a way of showing solidarity with the president.

They argued the move by Nawrocki benefitted Russia, whose war with Ukraine is now in its fifth year. "This is a gift to the Moscow aggressor, who will certainly use it against both of our countries," Zelenskyy aide Kyrylo Budanov said on social media.He said he was returning the Gold Officer's Cross of the Polish Order of Merit.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Warsaw Vasyl Bodnar said on Saturday he was relinquishing his Knight's Cross of the Polish Order of Merit,