At NATO summit, Poland warns Ukraine to tone down emotions after presidential aide warns of 'climax' in bilateral crisis

At a NATO summit in Ankara on 8 July, Polish officials sharply criticised Ukrainian presidential aide Kyryło Budanow after he warned that bilateral tensions would soon reach a climax, with the upcoming anniversary of the Volhynia massacre seen as a flashpoint.

Budanow's warning

In an interview with RBK-Ukraina published on 7 July, Budanow asserted that the «culmination point» in the Polish-Ukrainian crisis would «certainly occur soon». He linked the escalation to the 11 July anniversary of the Volhynia tragedy, claiming that Poland was «preparing a whole series of actions leading to escalation». Budanow stressed that Ukraine would not bow to pressure:

Recently Russia tried to present us with an ultimatum – no offence to Poland, but Russia is somewhat more powerful – and we still didn’t accept it. Do not talk to us with ultimatums.

He further warned that Kyiv would retaliate if Poland made a move:

Let Poland make a move first, then we will consider and react accordingly. Nobody intends to sit idly by.

Poland hits back

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, speaking on the summit’s sidelines, urged Ukraine to de-escalate.

I spoke with Ukraine’s foreign minister about this statement. It seems to me better to tone down emotions, because it is Ukraine that needs Western support, and Poland has done a great deal for it.

Sikorski also addressed broader security concerns, saying allies had «similar suspicions» about Vladimir Putin’s intentions and describing Russia’s leader as «cornered» and waging a «hybrid war against the entire West».

National Security Bureau chief Bartosz Grodecki was even more pointed, recalling a 90-minute meeting with Budanow on 6 June where the Ukrainian was not as categorical.

I think it is irresponsible, completely unnecessary from the point of view of Polish-Ukrainian relations. If minister Budanow claims so, he is deeply mistaken.

Grodecki insisted that Poland would never agree to build relations on the legacy of the UPA:

There is no possibility and no Polish consent to build these relations on UPA Banderaism. If Ukraine has no other heroes and wants to build its myth on this, it is making a strategic mistake.

Historical dispute simmering

The rhetorical clash is the latest in a months-long row triggered by President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision in late May to name a Ukrainian military unit after the «Heroes of UPA», the wartime nationalist force responsible for massacring tens of thousands of Poles in Volhynia in 1943. The move prompted Polish President Karol Nawrocki on 19 June to revoke Zelensky’s Order of the White Eagle. Zelensky returned the honour via courier the next day, and three former Ukrainian presidents also renounced the order, while Budanow and Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha returned other Polish state decorations. On 1 July, Ukraine’s parliament passed a law establishing a National Pantheon.

Reactions

The back-and-forth drew sharp responses on both sides. In Poland, deputy parliament speaker Piotr Zgorzelski lambasted Budanow:

In 99 localities simultaneously they were attacked in a massive action. It was genocide of particular cruelty. And you, Mr Budanow, if you don’t know what happened there, then kneel in an open field.

Government spokesman Adam Szłapka acknowledged that «unfortunately, both on the Ukrainian side and the Polish side there are elements and discussions that escalate tensions», while expressing hope for de-escalation. Budanow himself, in his interview, said he hoped for de-escalation, but warned that «the greatest escalation always leads either to catastrophe or to de-escalation».