Poland Expresses Its Respect for Ukraine: Duda Awards Budanov with One of the Highest Foreign Honors
On Tuesday, during a visit to Warsaw, the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, took an important step toward strengthening Polish-Ukrainian partnership relations by awarding the head of Ukrainian military intelligence, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, one of the most prestigious awards for foreigners—the Golden Officer's Cross of the Order "Pro Merito Polski." This award is among the highest in the Polish state system and is traditionally given only to individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of international cooperation, the strengthening of neighborly relations, and the support of the security of partner countries. According to the press service of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the award was presented to Lieutenant General Budanov by Colonel Domic Duda, the deputy head of the Polish Intelligence Agency and the personal representative of the country's president. During the ceremony, he separately emphasized the importance of Polish-Ukrainian cooperation amid the current large-scale Russian aggression. The deputy head of the Polish agency highlighted that the contribution of Ukrainian intelligence in countering Russian aggression plays a crucial role in ensuring security not only for Ukraine but for the entire European continent. Based on this, the Polish leadership highly values cooperation with Ukraine, which, from Europe's perspective, is not just a neighboring country but a valuable partner in the fight for freedom and stability. The key moment of the ceremony was the presentation of the award to the head of Ukrainian intelligence. President Andrzej Duda expressed sincere gratitude for the trust and acknowledged the role of cooperation between Poland and Ukraine in jointly resisting Russian aggression. In his speech, he emphasized: "This war is a fight for our values, freedom, and Europe's future. Our peoples have always stood side-by-side and will continue to do so in the struggle for a peaceful and secure future free of military conflicts. Only through joint efforts can we overcome the challenges facing our countries and the entire European community." The Ukrainian side was also recognized: for significant contributions to international cooperation and achievements in security, President Duda awarded the same day the Commander’s Cross of the Order "Pro Merito Polski" to Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Chief of Ukrainian Military Intelligence. This recognition once again confirms Poland’s firm support for Ukraine during these times of extraordinary trials. The international community has long regarded this award as a symbol of high appreciation for the contributions of foreign citizens to the development of good neighborly relations. Over the years, it has been awarded to influential politicians and figures in world diplomacy: former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. The "Pro Merito Polski" award not only symbolizes Poland’s deep respect for its international partners but also underscores the importance of solid cooperation in the fight for security and stability in the region, especially during active Russian aggression. It serves as a reminder that European countries and allies worldwide are ready to support Ukraine in its pursuit of peace and independence, and that the efforts of each professional in the intelligence and security fields are vital in the struggle for freedom and democracy.