The European Order of Merit was created last year to mark the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which laid the foundation for today's EU.
Now that the first recipients have been announced, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former Polish President Lech Walesa and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are being awarded the order's highest class.
In addition, 20 more people are being honored in the two lower classes. No Swedes are included, but the honorees include former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, the Irish rock band U2 led by singer Bono, and Greek basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player.
The medals will be awarded in May.
