The decree signed by Zelenskyy shows that Rinkēvičs has been awarded the Order of Merit, First Class. European Union figures Charles Michel, Roberta Metsola, and Josep Borrell receibed the same award as well as Ukraine's world champion heavyweight boxer Oleksandr Usyk.
Writing on Twitter, Rinkēvičs said the award was "unexpected", adding that it really was for "everyone who supports Ukrainians in their thoughts and actions in the fight against Russian aggression... Thanks to everyone, but the fight is not over, let's carry on!"
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Prime Minister of Italy, Mario Draghi, have been awarded the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, First Class.
The Second Class order was awarded to the US Secretary of state Anthony Blinken and the US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, while the Third Class order will be given to the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis and the Estonian Energy Commissioner Kadri Simsone.
Western celebrities who have been actively involved in the campaign to support Ukraine, such as the musicians of the groups U2 and Imagine Dragons, as well as Hollywood actor and film-maker Sean Penn, have also been awarded the Order of Merit.
