The President of Poland awarded Kyrylo Budanov one of the highest honors for foreign citizens.

In recognition of his exceptional contributions to fostering international cooperation linking Poland with other nations, President Andrzej Duda presented Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov with the Golden Officer's Cross of the Order "For Merit to Poland".

Additionally, Major General Vadym Skibitsky, the deputy head of Ukraine's military intelligence, was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Order "For Merit to Poland".

The awards were presented under the mandate of the Polish leader, who emphasized the critical importance of partnership with Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression and praised the role of the Ukrainian military and intelligence in ensuring continental security. The awards were handed over by Colonel Dominik Duda, the deputy head of the Polish Intelligence Agency.

"I sincerely thank President Andrzej Duda for his trust and willingness to recognize the friendly Polish-Ukrainian relations! This war is a struggle for freedom, our principles, and the values of a united Europe. Only together can we repel the Russian threat and overcome this age-old danger to Poland and Ukraine. Our peoples will always stand united in the fight for a peaceful future without war," emphasized Kyrylo Budanov.

The Order "For Merit to Poland" is one of the highest honors in Poland, awarded to foreigners who have made significant contributions to international cooperation and the development of relations with the Polish state.

Previous recipients include former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.