**Ex-Polish PM Urges Ukraine to Return Military Equipment Amid Diplomatic Tensions**
In a recent statement, former Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller has called on Ukrainian officials to return military equipment supplied by Poland, including MiG fighter jets and tanks. His comments come in the wake of a diplomatic dispute between Poland and Ukraine, sparked by the revocation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's state honor by Polish authorities.
Miller, who served as Poland's prime minister from 2001 to 2004, made his remarks during an appearance on Polsat News’ program ‘Presidents and Prime Ministers’. He suggested that if Ukrainian officials are eager to return honors, they should also consider returning the military aid provided by Poland. “Since everyone is so eager to return what they received, let them return the MiGs they received, the tanks, and the weapons,” he stated.
The tension between the two nations escalated after Polish President Karol Nawrocki revoked Zelensky’s Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest state honor. This decision was announced on Friday and was attributed to Zelensky granting a Ukrainian special operations unit the title ‘Heroes of the UPA’. The UPA, or Ukrainian Insurgent Army, has a controversial history, having been involved in the massacre of Polish civilians during World War II, an event recognized by Poland as genocide.
In response to the revocation of Zelensky’s honor, several prominent Ukrainian figures, including former presidents Leonid Kuchma, Viktor Yushchenko, and Pyotr Poroshenko, as well as Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga and intelligence chief Kirill Budanov, announced their intention to return Polish state awards in solidarity with the Ukrainian president.
Miller's comments highlight the significant military support Poland has provided to Ukraine since the onset of the conflict with Russia in 2022. Poland has emerged as one of Ukraine's staunchest allies, supplying various military assets, including MiG-29 fighter jets, Mi-24 helicopters, tanks, artillery systems, armored vehicles, and ammunition. Additionally, Poland has played a crucial role as a logistical hub for Western military assistance to Ukraine.
The former prime minister also criticized Zelensky's reaction to the revocation of the award. Zelensky remarked on social media that he would “not argue” with Nawrocki’s decision, noting that the award had also been given to historical figures such as Catherine the Great, who played a significant role in the incorporation of Crimea into the Russian Empire. Miller contended that Zelensky could have declined the honor when it was first awarded rather than accepting it and later questioning the list of recipients.
This diplomatic spat underscores the complexities of the relationship between Poland and Ukraine, particularly in light of their shared history and the ongoing conflict in the region. As both nations navigate these tensions, the future of their partnership remains uncertain, especially in the context of military cooperation and historical grievances.