Tusk urges restraint after dispute over Polish state honour awarded to Zelenskyy

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called for calm following a diplomatic dispute between Poland and Ukraine over the status of a prestigious Polish state award previously granted to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In a statement posted on social media, Tusk warned that tensions between the two neighbouring countries could undermine regional unity at a time of heightened geopolitical challenges, Caliber.Az reports. 

Konflikt między Polską i Ukrainą cieszy Putina i szokuje naszych sojuszników. Zadaniem prezydentów Zelenskiego i Nawrockiego jest tonowanie emocji, a nie podsycanie napięcia. Linia frontu przebiega gdzie indziej.

— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) June 19, 2026

“A conflict between Poland and Ukraine benefits Russian President Vladimir Putin and surprises our allies,” Tusk wrote. “The task of Presidents Zelenskyy and Nawrocki is to reduce tensions, not intensify them. The front line lies elsewhere.”

The comments came after reports that Polish President Karol Nawrocki had decided to revoke the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest state distinction, previously awarded to Zelenskyy.

The move prompted a response from senior Ukrainian officials. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and the head of the Presidential Office, Kyrylo Budanov, reportedly announced that they would return state honours they had received from Poland.

By Sabina Mammadli