Poland Calls Zelensky's National Pantheon Plan an ‘Escalation’

Poland’s presidential office has described President Volodymyr Zelensky’s proposal to establish a National Pantheon as another “escalatory” step by Kyiv, saying it further validates President Karol Nawrocki’s recent decision to revoke Poland’s highest state decoration from the Ukrainian leader.

In an interview with Polish Radio on Wednesday, presidential spokesperson Rafał Leśkiewicz said Zelensky’s announcement represented “another stage of escalatory actions” by the Ukrainian authorities.

“The announcement of a bill on the National Pantheon is another stage of escalatory actions by the Ukrainian authorities, following the decision at the end of May to name one of the military units after the ‘Heroes of the UPA,’” Leśkiewicz said.

Leśkiewicz argued that the latest move demonstrated Nawrocki had been right to strip Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest state decoration.

The spokesperson also criticized members of Poland’s governing coalition who had condemned Nawrocki’s decision, arguing that “even they are now admitting the president was right.”

Continued strain of relations

Relations between Kyiv and Warsaw have deteriorated in recent weeks, after Ukraine named a special forces unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), whose members Poland holds responsible for the World War II-era Volhynia massacres.

Ukraine, however, regards the UPA primarily as a movement that fought for the country’s independence.

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Ukraine Approves National Pantheon Law to Honor State Builders, Military Leaders and Cultural Icons

Zelensky said the move is important in the context of laying the groundwork for long-term social unity.

Nevertheless, the dispute prompted Nawrocki to revoke Zelensky’s state award, while several senior Ukrainian officials later returned Polish honors in protest.

The latest dispute follows Zelensky’s submission to parliament on Sunday – containing a bill establishing the Ukrainian National Pantheon – a memorial complex intended to honor prominent figures in the country’s history.

According to Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov, the initiative is designed to preserve the memory of individuals who made significant contributions to Ukraine’s statehood and independence. Following this, Ukrainian officials have described the project as an effort to strengthen national identity and restore historical justice.

Zelensky first announced plans to create the National Pantheon in April, with the initiative beginning with the reburial of Andriy Melnyk, one of the leaders of the Ukrainian nationalist movement, and his wife Sofia, whose remains were repatriated from Luxembourg.