Ukraine's presidential chief accuses Poland of preparing escalation ahead of Volhynia anniversary, warns Kyiv will reject any ultimatum
Kyryło Budanow, head of President Zelensky's office, said Poland is readying a series of escalatory steps tied to the July 11 anniversary of the Volhynia massacres and insisted Ukraine will not accept ultimatums from any country, including its western neighbour.
Budanow's accusations
In an interview with RBK-Ukraina published on 7 July 2026, Kyryło Budanow, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, claimed that Poland is preparing a series of actions aimed at escalating bilateral tensions. He linked the expected peak to the upcoming anniversary of the Volhynia tragedy on 11 July, a date Poland observes as the National Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Genocide committed by the OUN and UPA.
That (culmination point) will certainly happen soon. There is no great secret here, the anniversary of the Volhynia tragedy falls (on 11 July). From the information I have, they (the Polish side) are preparing a whole series — I will repeat that — of actions leading to escalation, so apparently all of this will now be continued.
The UPA naming dispute
Tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv have been rising since late May, when President Volodymyr Zelensky decided to name a Ukrainian military unit after the Heroes of the UPA (Ukrainian Insurgent Army). The move drew sharp criticism in Poland, including from Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the defence minister, because the UPA is held responsible for the mass killing of Polish civilians in Volhynia in 1943.
- President Zelensky names a Ukrainian military unit after the Heroes of the UPA, drawing sharp criticism from Poland.
- Kyryło Budanow gives an interview to RBK-Ukraina, accusing Poland of preparing escalation and rejecting ultimatums.
- Volhynia tragedy anniversary — Poland observes National Day of Remembrance; Budanow expects the peak of tensions.
'We will not accept ultimatums'
Budanow made clear that Ukraine would not bow to pressure from Poland, comparing the situation to Russia's earlier attempts to impose terms on Kyiv. He stressed that Ukraine had rejected Russian ultimatums despite Moscow's greater power and would do the same with any demands from Warsaw.
Ukraine will not accept an ultimatum from anyone in this world. Recently Russia tried to give us an ultimatum — no offence to Poland, but (Russia) is somewhat more powerful than Poland — and we still did not accept it. Yes, it is hard, bad, there is a lot of blood. But we did not even accept their ultimatum. So why does anyone think we will accept something else, from another side? One should not talk to us through ultimatums.
He added that Kyiv would not act hastily but warned that every unfriendly move would meet a response, and that the greatest escalation always leads either to catastrophe or to de-escalation, he hoped for the latter.
Polish reaction
Krzysztof Bosak, deputy speaker of the Sejm and co-leader of the Confederation party, reacted on social media platform X, accusing Budanow of treating Poland as an adversary.
The former head of Ukrainian intelligence, now head of the office of the president of Ukraine, commenting on relations with Poland, uses the language of analysing relations with an enemy.
Polish media outlets covering the interview described Budanow's remarks as shocking and noted the comparison of Poland to Russia. The exchange marks one of the sharpest rhetorical escalations between the two allies since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
