Zelensky awarded Poland's highest honour
Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, was awarded on Wednesday the Order of the White Eagle, Poland's highest distinction, for his services to security, resilience and the defence of human rights, the Polish President's Office announced.
Zelensky arrived in Poland on Wednesday morning with his wife Olena Zelenska for their first visit to the country together and Zelensky's first since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February last year.
During a meeting of the two first couples, the President's Office tweeted that Zelensky had been awarded the distinction also for his services towards Polish-Ukrainian relations. The tweet was accompanied by a video of Polish President Andrzej Duda awarding Zelenski the medal.
"There is no doubt that you, Volodymyr Zelensky, are exceptional," Duda said during the ceremony. "It is hard to hide the tears of emotion seeing your service to your motherland. You have not abandoned either Ukraine or your compatriots. You are a model of state and national leadership.
"A year ago, in February 2022, after the Russian aggression, at that moment, none of us knew what Ukraine's fate would be, what your fate would be," Duda told Zelensky.
"There is no doubt that your attitude, combined with the heroism of Ukrainian soldiers saved Ukraine. We have no doubt that your attitude in huge measure is saving Europe from the deluge of Russian imperialism," he added.
Duda emphasised that the Order of the White Eagle is Poland's oldest and most prized distinction.
"It is given to exceptional people who have done exceptional things with their lives in service to the (Polish - PAP) Republic and its neighbourhood," Duda said.
President Zelensky thanked Poland and Poles for their support of his country. "I want to thank the Polish president, the government and all Poles for the road we have travelled together. We highly value your support. Never in history has there been such warm and close relations between Poland and Ukraine," he said.
Zelensky added that he accepted the award on behalf of the whole Ukrainian nation and those fighting to defend it. (PAP)
