Zelenskyy’s decision to honor units tied to the UPA has clashed hard with Polish memory of the 1943-45 Volhynia massacres. Poland hosted millions of Ukrainian refugees and gave major military aid, yet feels unappreciated.
Nawrocki just revoked Zelenskyy’s Order of the White Eagle over it. Ukraine isn’t in the EU and won’t join soon—accession needs unanimous member support, including Poland’s.
Straining a key neighbor and ally while seeking deeper integration is risky statecraft. Moscow benefits from every fresh rift.