Photo: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU)
Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov says Poland may take what he described as “immature escalation steps” ahead of July 11, the anniversary of the Volhynia tragedy, while stressing that Kyiv will not accept ultimatums from any partner.
Speaking in an interview, Budanov said tensions between Ukraine and Poland could peak next week because of the sensitive historical date.
“Ukraine will not accept ultimatums from anyone. The last country that tried to impose one was Russia, and we rejected it. No one should expect a different response,” he said.
Budanov added that if Poland takes any provocative steps, Ukraine will respond, but stressed that Kyiv should avoid escalating the situation first.
“Peak escalation always leads either to catastrophe or to de-escalation. I hope we move toward de-escalation,” he said.
Relations between Kyiv and Warsaw have been strained since President Volodymyr Zelenskyy granted a Ukrainian Special Operations Forces unit the honorary title “Heroes of the UPA.” The decision sparked criticism in Poland and calls for the decree to be revoked.
After weeks of public exchanges, Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped Zelenskyy of Poland’s highest state award, the Order of the White Eagle. In response, current and former Ukrainian presidents, along with several officials, renounced their Polish state decorations.
A recent poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology found that only 1% of Ukrainians support making concessions to Poland in historical disputes, while 90% favor resolving disagreements through dialogue and mutual understanding.
