Photo: facebook.com/volodymyrgroysman
Former Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman has declined a Polish order awarded to him in 2011 when he served as the mayor of Vinnytsia. He announced this on his Facebook page.
– In 2011, as the mayor of Vinnytsia, I received the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland for fostering regional cooperation with Polish cities. I am returning the order as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine and President Zelensky. This is not out of offense to the Polish people, but with deep respect for all the years of refuge for our people after February 24th, – Groysman wrote.
He noted that every nation has the right to its own history and its own heroes. At the same time, the past between neighboring countries cannot be more valuable than a shared future.
– There is something that is not up for debate: a war is ongoing today. The true enemy is Russia. And as long as this war continues, we cannot afford to argue about the past. This is precisely what Moscow desires: for Warsaw and Kyiv to look not forward, but backward, – he emphasized.
- On June 20, Zelensky sent the Order of the White Eagle to Navrotsky by mail.
- On June 20, Poroshenko refused the Order of the White Eagle, following Kuchma and Yushchenko.