Polish President Karol Nawrocki has decided to revoke the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest state decoration, from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In an interview with Ukrinform, prominent Polish publicist, sociologist, civic activist, and editor-in-chief of Krytyka Polityczna, Sławomir Sierakowski shared his assessment of the decision, its potential consequences, and the opportunities and challenges it may create for Polish-Ukrainian relations.
IN POLAND, THE CONSENSUS ON UKRAINE HAS BEEN SACRIFICED TO NAWROCKI’S POLITICAL STRUGGLE WITH TUSK
Ukrinform (UI): Mr. Sierakowski, four years ago you raised funds to purchase Bayraktar drones for Ukraine. Much has changed since then. Given that experience, how do you assess the current state of Polish-Ukrainian relations?
Sławomir Sierakowski (SS): I would say that the most significant change has been the growing polarization—and increasingly, the radicalization—of Polish society. Whereas there was once a broad political and social consensus in support of Ukraine, that consensus has now been sacrificed to Nawrocki’s political struggle with Tusk.
