Polish state honour for outgoing Ukrainian ambassador

Ukraine's outgoing ambassador to Warsaw, Andrii Deshchytsia, has been honoured with a high Polish state decoration for helping develop bilateral ties.

Andrii Deshchytsia

Photo: PAP/Leszek Szymański

The Commander's Cross with Star of the Polish Order of Merit was presented to him by President Andrzej Duda during a ceremony in Warsaw on Wednesday.

"I would like to thank Andrii Deshchytsia for his service and contribution to building Polish-Ukrainian relations over the past eight years," Duda said at the ceremony, as quoted by his office.

Prezydent @AndrzejDuda wręczył byłemu Ambasadorowi Ukrainy w Polsce @ADeshchytsia Krzyż Komandorski z Gwiazdą Orderu Zasługi RP. pic.twitter.com/B28k9gyl9O

— Kancelaria Prezydenta (@prezydentpl) June 15, 2022

Deshchytsia said he was grateful to Poland and its people for their "support and solidarity with Ukraine."

He declared: "I will continue to strengthen our partnership and friendship."

I am honored to receive a special reward - the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit from @AndrzejDuda.
Gratitude to the President, Poland, and Poles for support and solidarity with Ukraine. I will continue to strengthen our partnership and friendship🇺🇦🤝🇵🇱
📷@prezydentpl pic.twitter.com/LQQgJD1YME

— Andrii Deshchytsia (@ADeshchytsia) June 15, 2022

Deshchytsia was originally due to end his tour of duty in Warsaw in February, but his term as ambassador was extended after Russia invaded his country, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

His replacement, Vasyl Zvarych, has vowed to "work 24/7 to strengthen Ukrainian-Polish friendship."

Wednesday was day 112 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

(gs)

Source: PAP