Polish President Andrzej Duda awarded Lieutenant General Kirill Budanov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, one of the highest Polish state awards for foreign citizens - the Golden Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, Ukrinform reported, citing a Facebook post of the GUR, BTA reported.
"For his outstanding contribution to the development of international cooperation and relations connecting the Republic of Poland with other countries and peoples, President Andrzej Duda awarded Lieutenant General Kirill Budanov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, one of the highest Polish awards for foreigners - the Golden Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland," it says in the message.
President Duda awarded the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland to the Deputy Chief of Ukrainian Intelligence, Major General Vadim Skibitsky.
On behalf of the Polish President, who stressed the exceptional importance of the partnership with Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression and highly appreciated the contribution of the Ukrainian military and intelligence services to the collective security of the continent, the awards were presented by Colonel Dominik Duda, Deputy Head of the Polish Intelligence Agency.
The GUR notes that the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland is one of the country's highest awards. It is awarded to foreign citizens who have made a significant contribution to the development of international cooperation and strengthening relations with Poland.
Famous recipients of the order in the past include: 40th US President Ronald Reagan, US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
Sweden previously established an award for volunteer projects in support of Ukraine, Ukrinform notes.