Zelensky: I will not revoke the decree granting a Ukrainian Armed Forces unit the name “Heroes of the UPA”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that he does not intend to revoke the decree granting one of the Ukrainian Armed Forces units the honorary name “Heroes of the UPA,” despite Polish President Karol Nawrocki’s decision to strip him of the Order of the White Eagle.

Zelensky made the statement in a media interview, as reported by UNN.

Zelensky stressed that the naming was an initiative of the servicemen themselves, not his personal decision.

“When they chose a name for themselves and came to me with a request, I signed such a decree. It was the unit’s initiative,” the president said.

The head of state also described the circumstances of his first official meeting with Nawrocki in Poland. According to Zelensky, the Polish president presented him with books about the Volhynia tragedy as a gift right at the handshake.

“First visit. His gift to me at the handshake — books about the Volhynia tragedy,” Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian president also drew attention to the role of Ukrainian servicemen in ensuring the security of European countries.

“We are protecting Poland, we are protecting Europe right now, not the other way around. Our fighters are protecting and dying,” he emphasized.

Zelensky said he sees no grounds for reconsidering his decision.

“I support this. I will not revoke it now (the decree granting the name ‘Heroes of the UPA’ — ed.). I have never changed such decrees,” the Ukrainian president said.