Jun 23, 2026, 18:43

Poland and Ukraine are Angry

波蘭與烏克蘭關係緊張

Introduction

Poland and Ukraine have a big problem. President Karol Nawrocki of Poland took away a special medal from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine.

波蘭與烏克蘭之間存在一個大問題。波蘭總統卡羅爾·納夫羅茨基收回了授予烏克蘭總統澤倫斯基的一枚特別勳章。

Main Body

Ukraine named a military group after the UPA. Poland says the UPA killed many Polish people in the past. President Nawrocki says this is wrong. President Zelenskyy sent the medal back to Poland.

烏克蘭將一個軍事組織命名為 UPA。波蘭表示 UPA 過去殺害了許多波蘭人。納夫羅茨基總統認為這樣是不對的。澤倫斯基總統則將勳章寄回波蘭。

Poland has problems at home too. President Nawrocki and Prime Minister Donald Tusk do not agree. They fight about laws and power. The President wants to win more voters for the next election.

波蘭國內也有問題。納夫羅茨基總統與總理唐納德·圖斯克意見分歧。他們針對法律與權力問題發生爭執。總統希望在下次選舉中贏得更多選民。

Poland and Ukraine also fight about money and food. Poland does not want Ukrainian farm products in its shops. Poland also wants a big role in peace talks with Russia.

波蘭與烏克蘭也為金錢與食物問題而爭執。波蘭不希望烏克蘭的農產品出現在其商店中。波蘭也希望在與俄羅斯的和平談判中扮演重要角色。

Conclusion

The two presidents did not go to a big meeting in Gdańsk. The friendship between the two countries is now very weak.

兩位總統都沒有出席在格但斯克舉行的大會。兩國之間的友誼現在非常脆弱。

Vocabulary Learning

⚡️ The 'Action' Word Pattern

In this story, we see how to talk about things that are happening now or are generally true. This is the most important part of A2 English.

1. The Simple Truth We use a basic verb form to show a fact.

Poland and Ukraine have a big problem.
Poland wants a big role.

2. The 'S' Rule (Very Important!) When we talk about one person (He/She) or one thing (Poland/Ukraine), we add an -s to the action word.

President Nawrocki says... (He says)
The President wants... (He wants)
Ukraine named... (This is in the past, so it changes!)

3. When things go wrong (Negative) To say 'no', we use do not or does not →

They do not agree.
Poland does not want Ukrainian products.

Quick Summary for your brain:

Many people $\rightarrow$ do not / have
One person/country $\rightarrow$ does not / has / wants

Vocabulary Learning

medal (n.)

A small metal circle given as a prize or honor

Example:The soldier received a gold medal for his bravery.

military (adj.)

Related to the army or soldiers

Example:He wears a military uniform to work.

agree (v.)

To have the same opinion as someone else

Example:I agree with you that the weather is too hot.

voters (n.)

People who choose a leader in an election

Example:The politician is talking to the voters today.

election (n.)

The process of voting to choose a government leader

Example:The next election is in November.

products (n.)

Things that are made to be sold

Example:This shop sells organic food products.

weak (adj.)

Not strong

Example:The old bridge is very weak and dangerous.

Diplomatic Tension Between Poland and Ukraine After State Honor is Removed

波蘭與烏克蘭在撤回國家榮譽後外交關係緊張

Introduction

Relations between Poland and Ukraine have become very unstable after Polish President Karol Nawrocki decided to take back the Order of the White Eagle from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

在波蘭總統 Karol Nawrocki 決定收回烏克蘭總統 Volodymyr Zelenskyy 的「白鷹勳章」後，波蘭與烏克蘭之間的關係變得非常不穩定。

Main Body

The current diplomatic crisis was caused by the Ukrainian government's decision to name a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). While Ukraine sees the UPA as a symbol of national freedom, Poland recognizes the group's actions during World War II—specifically the massacres in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia—as genocide. President Nawrocki emphasized that honoring the UPA goes against European Union values and insults the memory of Polish victims. In response, President Zelenskyy returned the award, and other senior Ukrainian officials followed his lead.

目前的外交危機是由於烏克蘭政府決定以「烏克蘭反抗軍」(UPA) 命名一個軍事單位所引起。雖然烏克蘭將 UPA 視為國家自由的象徵，但波蘭將該組織在第二次世界大戰期間的行為——特別是在沃WriteLine 區和東加利西亞的大屠殺——認定為種族滅絕。Nawrocki 總統強調，表彰 UPA 違背了歐盟的價值觀，並侮辱了波蘭受害者的記憶。作為回應，Zelenskyy 總統退回了該獎項，其他烏克蘭高層官員也效法其做法。

This external conflict is made worse by political instability inside Poland. Currently, the country is split between Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s liberal coalition, which manages the budget and laws, and President Nawrocki’s conservative administration, which uses its veto power to stop reforms. Analysts suggest that President Nawrocki is taking a hard line on history to attract conservative voters before the 2027 elections, which puts Prime Minister Tusk in a difficult position regarding official government decrees.

這次外部衝突因波蘭內部的政治不穩定而惡化。目前，該國分裂為兩派：一方是總理 Donald Tusk 的自由派聯盟，負責管理預算與法律；另一方是 Nawrocki 總統的保守派政府，利用否決權阻止改革。分析師認為，Nawrocki 總統在歷史問題上採取強硬路線，是為了在 2027 年選舉前吸引保守派選民，這使得 Tusk 總理在處理政府正式法令時處於困難地位。

Furthermore, the relationship is strained by economic disputes and changing political goals. Although Poland is a key hub for military aid, the government has placed restrictions on Ukrainian farm imports to protect its own farmers. At the same time, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has asked for a formal role in future peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. This shows that Poland is moving away from selfless support and is instead focusing on its own regional influence and economic interests.

此外，兩國關係亦因經濟爭議和政治目標的改變而緊張。雖然波蘭是軍事援助的關鍵樞紐，但政府為了保護本國農民，對烏克蘭農產品進口實施了限制。同時，外交部長 Radosław Sikorski 要求在未來俄烏和平談判中扮演正式角色。這顯示波蘭正逐漸擺脫無私支持，轉而關注自身的區域影響力和經濟利益。

Conclusion

Because of this dispute, neither President Zelenskyy nor President Nawrocki attended the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk, leaving the partnership in a very fragile state.

由於這次爭議，Zelenskyy 總統與 Nawrocki 總統均未出席在 Gdańsk 舉行的烏克蘭重建會議，使雙方的合作關係處於非常脆弱的狀態。

Vocabulary Learning

⚡ The 'B2 Jump': Moving from Simple to Sophisticated Descriptions

As an A2 learner, you likely use words like bad, difficult, or problem. To reach B2, you need to describe situations and relationships using precise, high-impact adjectives. Look at how the article describes the Poland-Ukraine relationship:

"Relations... have become very unstable" "...leaving the partnership in a very fragile state" "the relationship is strained"

🛠️ The Tool: 'Emotional & Political Weight' Adjectives

Instead of saying "The situation is bad," a B2 speaker uses words that explain how it is bad.

A2 (Simple)	B2 (Sophisticated)	Meaning in this Context
Bad / Not strong	Fragile	Easily broken; needs careful handling.
Tense / Hard	Strained	Stretched to the limit; almost breaking.
Changing / Not safe	Unstable	Likely to change suddenly or fail.

🧠 Logic Shift: Using 'Instead of' for Contrast

B2 fluency is about connecting two opposite ideas in one sentence. Notice this transition in the text:

*"...Poland is moving away from selfless support and is instead focusing on its own regional influence..."

The Pattern: [Moving away from X] $\rightarrow$ [Instead focusing on Y]

Try applying this to your own life:

A2: I don't want to play games. I want to study.
B2: I am moving away from distractions and am instead focusing on my academic goals.

📝 Vocabulary Expansion: The 'Power' Words

To sound more professional, replace basic verbs with these 'Action' words found in the text:

To emphasize (instead of to say strongly)
To restrict (instead of to stop some things)
To attract (instead of to make people come/join)

Vocabulary Learning

unstable (adj.)

Not firm or fixed; likely to change or fail suddenly.

Example:The political situation in the region remains unstable following the recent protests.

genocide (n.)

The deliberate killing of a large group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation.

Example:The international community must work together to prevent genocide in conflict zones.

emphasized (v.)

Gave special importance or prominence to something in speaking or writing.

Example:The teacher emphasized the importance of reviewing the grammar rules before the exam.

instability (n.)

A state of being unstable; lack of predictability or reliability.

Example:Economic instability often leads to a decrease in foreign investment.

coalition (n.)

A temporary alliance of political parties forming a government.

Example:The two parties formed a coalition to ensure they had a majority in parliament.

decrees (n.)

Official orders issued by a legal authority.

Example:The president issued several decrees to implement the new environmental laws.

strained (adj.)

Tense or uneasy, typically describing a relationship between people or countries.

Example:Relations between the two neighbors have been strained since the border dispute began.

restrictions (n.)

Official rules that limit what is allowed.

Example:The government imposed strict restrictions on travel during the pandemic.

fragile (adj.)

Easily broken or damaged; delicate and unstable.

Example:The peace agreement is still fragile and could collapse at any moment.

Diplomatic Deterioration Between the Republic of Poland and Ukraine Following State Honor Revocation

波蘭共和國在撤銷國家榮譽後與烏克蘭外交關係惡化

Introduction

Bilateral relations between Poland and Ukraine have entered a period of acute instability following the revocation of the Order of the White Eagle from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by Polish President Karol Nawrocki.

波蘭總統卡羅爾·納夫羅茨基撤銷對烏克蘭總統澤倫斯基的「白鷹勳章」，導致波蘭與烏克蘭的雙邊關係進入一段劇烈不穩定的時期。

Main Body

The current diplomatic crisis was precipitated by the Ukrainian administration's decision to designate a military unit in honor of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). While the UPA is characterized within Ukraine as a symbol of national liberation, the Polish state recognizes the organization's activities during World War II—specifically the massacres in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia—as genocide. President Nawrocki asserted that the glorification of the UPA is incompatible with the values of the European Union and constitutes an affront to the memory of Polish victims. In response, President Zelenskyy returned the decoration via courier, a gesture mirrored by former Ukrainian presidents Leonid Kuchma, Viktor Yushchenko, and Petro Poroshenko, as well as senior officials including Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Kirill Budanov.

目前的外交危機是由於烏克蘭政府決定設立一個紀念烏克蘭起義軍 (UPA) 的軍事單位而觸發。雖然烏克蘭將 UPA 視為國家解放的象徵，但波蘭政府認定該組織在第二次世界大戰期間的活動——特別是在沃里尼亞與東加利西亞的屠殺——為種族滅絕。納夫羅茨基總統聲稱，美化 UPA 與歐盟的價值觀不相容，且是對波蘭受害者的侮辱。作為回應，澤倫斯基總統透過快遞將勳章交還，此舉亦得到了前烏克蘭總統萊昂尼德·庫其馬、維克多·尤先科、彼得·波羅申科，以及外交部長安德烈·西比哈與基里爾·布丹諾夫等高級官員的效法。

This external friction is compounded by internal Polish political volatility. The state currently operates under a dual power structure: Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s liberal coalition controls the legislative and budgetary apparatus, while President Nawrocki’s conservative administration utilizes veto powers to obstruct reforms. This domestic deadlock has manifested in jurisdictional conflicts over the judiciary and diplomatic corps. Analysts suggest that President Nawrocki's hardline stance on historical memory is a strategic instrument intended to mobilize conservative voters ahead of the 2027 parliamentary elections, thereby placing Prime Minister Tusk in a precarious position regarding the legal countersigning of presidential decrees.

這種外部摩擦因波蘭內部的政治動盪而加劇。該國目前處於一種雙權力結構：總理唐納德·圖斯克的自由派聯盟控制著立法與預算機關，而納夫羅茨基總統的保守派政府則利用否決權來阻撓改革。這種國內僵局體現於司法機關與外交使團的管轄權衝突中。分析人士指出，納夫羅茨基總統在歷史記憶問題上的強硬立場是一種戰略工具，旨在 2027 年議會選舉前動員保守派選民，從而使圖斯克總理在總統令的法律會簽上處於不利地位。

Furthermore, the rapprochement between the two nations is strained by economic protectionism and shifting geopolitical doctrines. Despite Poland's role as a logistics hub for Western military aid, the Polish government has implemented restrictive barriers against Ukrainian agricultural imports to protect domestic subsidies. Simultaneously, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has demanded a formal seat in future peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, signaling a departure from the Giedroyc doctrine of selfless advocacy toward a policy centered on Polish regional hegemony and specific economic interests.

此外，兩國之間的關係亦受到經濟保護主義與地緣政治學說轉變的影響。儘管波蘭扮演西方軍事援助的物流樞紐，但波蘭政府為了保護國內補貼，對烏克蘭農產品進口實施了限制措施。同時，外交部長拉多斯瓦夫·西科爾斯基要求在未來俄烏和平談判中獲得正式席位，標誌著波蘭從無私倡議的 Giedroyc 學說，轉向以波蘭區域霸權與特定經濟利益為中心的政策。

Conclusion

The dispute has resulted in the absence of both President Zelenskyy and President Nawrocki from the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk, leaving the partnership in a state of precarious fragility.

這場爭端導致澤倫斯基總統與納夫羅茨基總統均未出席在格但斯克舉行的烏克蘭重建會議，使雙方夥伴關係陷入極其脆弱的狀態。

Vocabulary Learning

The Architecture of 'High-Stakes' Nominalization

To transition from B2 (where communication is clear) to C2 (where communication is authoritative), a writer must move away from event-based phrasing toward conceptual-state phrasing. The provided text is a masterclass in Nominalization—the process of turning verbs (actions) and adjectives (qualities) into nouns (concepts).

⚡ The Linguistic Shift

Observe how the text avoids simple action sequences in favor of complex noun phrases. This creates a 'distanced' academic tone that suggests objectivity and systemic analysis.

B2 Approach: Relations between Poland and Ukraine have become unstable because the President revoked a state honor. (Linear/Causal)
C2 Approach: Bilateral relations... have entered a period of acute instability following the revocation of the Order of the White Eagle... (Conceptual/Systemic)

🔍 Dissecting the 'Power-Nouns'

Note the specific choices that elevate the register from descriptive to analytical:

"Diplomatic Deterioration": Instead of saying 'diplomacy is getting worse', the author creates a compound noun phrase. This transforms a process into a phenomenon that can be studied.
"Internal political volatility": Volatility replaces 'unstable politics'. The word choice implies a scientific or financial precision, suggesting the situation is prone to sudden, violent change.
"Precarious fragility": Here, a noun is modified by an adjective to create a nuanced state of being. It isn't just 'fragile'; it is precariously so, suggesting a tipping point.

🛠️ C2 Application: The 'Nominal Chain'

At the C2 level, you should employ Nominal Chains, where one noun modifies or leads into another to compress complex ideas.

Example from text: "...the legal countersigning of presidential decrees."

Legal (Adj) $\rightarrow$ Countersigning (Gerund/Noun) $\rightarrow$ Presidential (Adj) $\rightarrow$ Decrees (Noun).

This chain removes the need for clunky clauses like "the act of signing the decrees that the president had written, which is a legal requirement."

Scholarly Insight: This style is the hallmark of Diplomatese and Academic Prose. By shifting the focus from the actor (the person doing the thing) to the action-as-an-entity (the thing being done), the writer projects an image of intellectual detachment and strategic precision.

Vocabulary Learning

precipitated (v.)

To cause an event or situation, typically one that is bad or undesirable, to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely.

Example:The sudden increase in tariffs precipitated a trade war between the two neighboring nations.

affront (n.)

An action or remark that is consciously offensive to someone; a deliberate insult.

Example:The decision to build a parking lot over the historic site was seen as a direct affront to the local community.

volatility (n.)

The quality of being subject to frequent, rapid, and unpredictable change, especially for the worse.

Example:The extreme volatility of the stock market left many investors feeling anxious about their portfolios.

precarious (adj.)

Dependent on chance; uncertain; dangerously unstable or insecure.

Example:The climber found himself in a precarious position on the narrow ledge of the mountain.

rapprochement (n.)

An establishment or resumption of harmonious relations between two countries or groups that were previously hostile.

Example:The diplomatic summit marked a significant rapprochement between the two warring factions.

hegemony (n.)

Leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others.

Example:The empire sought to maintain its cultural and economic hegemony over the entire region.

Practice All words in a crossword→