Zelenskyy returns Poland's highest honor after Polish president revokes it in history dispute

Updated on: June 20, 2026 / 7:24 PM EDT

/ AP

Add CBS News on Google

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy has returned Poland's highest state honor, after the Polish president stripped him of the award as a politically charged dispute over World War II history resurfaced.Ukrainians believed the order "was meant for the Ukrainian People and our army," Zelenskyy wrote in a social media post explaining the gesture. "Today, I sent the Order back to the President of Poland. I believe the future will confirm the respect Ukrainians deserve."The message published on X is accompanied by photos of the Polish order and a postal receipt that it was about to be mailed to the Polish presidential office.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki, left, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attend an official welcome ceremony before their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland, Dec. 19, 2025.