In brief: 

Mature nations remember history without becoming imprisoned by it. They recognize that former enemies can become trusted allies and that reconciliation is among the greatest achievements of civilization. The American experience can help guide Poland and Ukraine through the current conflict.

By DW Phillips

June 23, 2026

Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki (R) and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky address a joint press conference following their talks at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland, on December 19, 2025. (Photo by Wojtek RADWANSKI / AFP)

To put it plainly, Polish President Karol Nawrocki’s decision to revoke his country’s highest honor from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is a propaganda victory for the Kremlin, a diplomatic liability for Poland, and a small-minded act of political symbolism that has no place amid the defining geopolitical crisis of our time.

More importantly, it reveals a troubling parochialism at a moment when Poland, its allies, and the wider world require something greater.

The American precedent

Most Americans are unfamiliar with the complex historical tensions between Poland and Ukraine, including longstanding disputes over the conduct of certain military formations during and after the Second World War.

They are, however, deeply familiar with the need for reconciliation and unity in the face of common threats, even among nations and militaries whose predecessors once engaged in conduct that would today be condemned under modern laws of war.

In less than a month, America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, a document that directly accuses the British Crown and its armies of committing grave offenses against the American people.

The final grievance of the Declaration, near the end of its list of accusations against King George III, reads as follows:

“He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.”

That reference was to the practice of Great Britain incentivizing native Americans to scalp and murder women and children on the American frontier.

One example was Henry Hamilton, the British lieutenant governor at Detroit during the American Revolution, who became known to Americans as the “Hair Buyer General” because he was widely believed to reward Native allies for American scalps.

Yet the same Declaration which addresses what today would be considered war crimes, concludes with a reminder that even the deepest wounds of war need not endure forever:

“We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.”

If there is a nation on earth today that stands in direct opposition to totalitarianism and political violence, it is Ukraine.

Forgiveness, reconciliation, and common cause

In May of this year, the United States welcomed the King before Congress with friendship, respect, and honor, notwithstanding his direct connection to the British Crown and the institutions against which our founders declared their independence.

For more than a century, Americans have taken the same approach toward Britain’s military traditions. The War for American Independence was a violent conflict, replete with actions that would today raise serious questions under modern standards of warfare, including attacks on civilians and the destruction of civilian property.

Nonetheless, British regiments with histories which included barbaric acts while attempting to subdue the American colonies, and in violation of the rules of war as we understand them today, later fought side by side with Americans in both World Wars. They were honored not for what their ancestors had done in the 18th century, but for their courage, sacrifice, and service in the defining struggles of the 20th.

No American president has suggested that these regiments should be judged solely by the controversies of their Revolutionary War history. No alliance was abandoned because their forebears once marched under the banner of King George III. Instead, Americans chose to recognize the bravery of the men who stood beside them against the Kaiser and later against Hitler.

That is how mature nations behave.

They remember history without becoming imprisoned by it. They recognize that former enemies can become trusted allies and that reconciliation is among the greatest achievements of civilization. The descendants of the men who faced one another at Lexington, Bunker Hill, and Yorktown would eventually fight together at the Somme, Normandy, and Arnhem.

Their story stands as proof that nations can honor historical memory without allowing it to become a perpetual veto on friendship, alliance, and common purpose.

There is simply no place for smallness when the world is on fire.

The hypocrisy problem

President Nawrocki not only revoked the Order of the White Eagle, but also declared that Poland could not support European Union membership for a nation unwilling to reject what he described as a “cult of totalitarianism and violence.” It was a remarkable accusation, and one that sounded strangely detached from present reality. If there is a nation on earth today that stands in direct opposition to totalitarianism and political violence, it is Ukraine, a democracy whose citizens have spent more than a decade resisting authoritarianism and more than four years fighting a war of national survival against one of the world’s most repressive regimes.

The deeper problem is that selective moral outrage rarely survives scrutiny.

No sooner had the revocation of the Order of the White Eagle made headlines than critics began pointing to Poland’s own complicated historical legacy, including allegations of war crimes committed against Ukrainians by the Armia Krajowa, one of the most revered military groups in Poland.

In his official response, Zelensky made three important points. First, the award was for the people of Ukraine, not him. To question their heroism is deeply flawed. Second, he reminded the world that Poland has never revoked similar awards to actual tyrants like Mussolini. Finally, he explained that unity is the goal. He stands willing and ready to work with all in the cause of freedom.

The silver lining

If there is a silver lining in this affair, it is that key Ukrainian leaders, past and present, responded in precisely that spirit. By voluntarily returning honors they had received from Poland, they delivered a clear message: Ukraine will not be diminished by political theatrics, its internal policies are not subject to the approval of foreign politicians, and its people will not be divided.

That unity is the mark of a mature nation that understands exactly what is at stake.

The views expressed in this opinion article are the author’s and not necessarily those of Kyiv Post. 

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WWDN

🇷🇺🇨🇳 Russia’s “friendly” relations with China that cost Russia, actually…

While Russian President Vladimir Putin is busy invading Ukraine, China is quietly taking over large parts of Russia’s resources. Large agricultural farms are being taken over by the Chinese. So are timber and wood products from the Siberian forests. Desperate for help, Putin is willing to make any concession.

Is China quietly benefiting the most from Russia’s war in Ukraine?

Short answer: China isn’t literally “taking over” Russian land, but it is gaining a lot of economic leverage and access to resources — especially in Siberia and the Russian Far East. Whether that counts as “winning” depends on who you ask.

Russia is bogged down in Ukraine and burning cash/manpower. Sanctions make Vladimir Putin dependent on Beijing. China gets cheap energy, timber, farmland, and political influence without firing a shot — called the “quietest land grab of the century”.

So is China “quietly taking over”?

Economically, yes — expanding footprint in land, timber, energy. Politically, Russia still runs the Far East, but its bargaining power vs Beijing is weaker than ever. A full “takeover” would risk war between two nuclear powers, which analysts call highly improbable.

The mood online is split: some see a strategic Chinese win, others see Western fear-mongering. The truth is probably in the middle — China gains, Russia gets lifeline, but at the cost of long-term dependency. 🇨🇳🇷🇺

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More poisonous lies from Lavrov :

🇺🇦🇺🇸🇷🇺 Lavrov rejects European peace terms, accuses West of seeking to sustain Ukraine conflict…

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has dismissed the conditions proposed by European nations for ending the war in Ukraine, arguing that they are designed to preserve the government of Volodymyr Zelenskyy rather than achieve a lasting peace.

Lavrov said Russia cannot continue meaningful negotiations with Europe, claiming Europe can’t be a “third-party observer” or mediator because of its military support for Ukraine. He accused European leaders of using negotiations as cover for “geopolitical expansion” and preparing for a future attack against Russia.

Lavrov argued Europe’s “real goal is to preserve the Zelensky regime as a springboard against Russia”. In multiple statements, he said Europeans are “wrong to assume that Russia is losing the war and that they can issue ultimatums to Moscow”.

Lavrov said Russia is committed to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposals to end the war. He’s “eager to hear from Trump’s envoys how peace agreements based on U.S. proposals would be implemented”, specifically mentioning envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. 🇺🇸🇺🇦🇷🇺

…………

President Zelensky pays tribute to Sir Kier Starmer :

Writing on X, accompanied by an image of the two leaders embracing, Mr Zelensky stated:

“Keir, thank you for all our cooperation, your support, and the joint decisions that have helped make our Europe and our protection of life stronger.

“The United Kingdom has been, is, and will remain among the world’s leaders. Here in Ukraine, we deeply value Britain, and every meeting and every conversation we have had has always been filled with real substance,” he said.

The Ukrainian president also thanked Starmer for staying “always in touch” and “always engaged,” saying Britain had consistently worked to deliver support that Ukraine needed.

“I wish the United Kingdom and all British people every success as well as realization of your national goals. We have confidence in Britain,” Zelensky said.

He ended the message by saying: “Keir, you are always a welcome guest in Ukraine.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. 🇺🇦🇬🇧