The Polish president arrived in Kyiv with a publicly unannounced visit on Saturday morning. Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Andriy Sybiha, reported that its program includes a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as participation in Saturday's Constitution Day celebrations. And, as it turns out - a decoration with a top Ukrainian distinction too.
"For his outstanding personal services in strengthening Ukrainian-Polish international cooperation, supporting state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, I hereby decide to award the Order of Freedom to the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda" - the Ukrainian President's Office press release stated.
The Order of Freedom is the highest national distinction a foreigner can be honored with in Ukraine. It was established to commend individuals for their special services in strengthening the sovereignty and independence of the country, consolidating its society, developing democracy, socio-economic and political reforms, as well as defending constitutional human and civil rights and freedoms.
Since February 2022, Andrzej Duda consistently spoke out supporting Ukraine's defence against Russian full-scale aggression - and during the war he visited Poland's neighbor a number of times, expressing solidarity with President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people. In August 2024, President Duda took part in the 33rd anniversary of Ukraine's independence celebrations.
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Source: PAP, IAR