---
title: "Budanov warns of escalation peak with Poland: 'We do not accept ultimatums'"
description: "Head of the President's Office Budanov warned of a peak in escalation in relations with Poland by July 11. The official stated that Kyiv will not accept ultimatums from partners and is ready to respond to Warsaw's \"immature steps.\" 🔥🇺🇦🇵🇱"
date: 2026-07-07T04:28:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/budanov-warns-of-escalation-peak-with-poland
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Budanov warns of escalation peak with Poland: 'We do not accept ultimatums'

![Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate, in uniform with patches reading 'БУДАНОВ' and 'КЕРІВНИК ОФІСУ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА' — warns of escalation peak with Poland](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/07/budanov-upredupil-o-pike-escalacii-s-polshhei/budanov-upredupil-o-pike-escalacii-s-polshhei-1.webp)

Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the President's Office of Ukraine, issued a concerning forecast regarding relations with Warsaw in an exclusive interview with RBC-Ukraine. The official stated that the peak of tension in bilateral relations is expected next week, with the most difficult phase still ahead. The main trigger for the escalation will be a historical date — July 11, the anniversary of the Volhynian tragedy.

### "Immature steps" and historical memory

According to Budanov, the Polish side is preparing actions that could lead to a further exacerbation of the situation. The Head of the President's Office called these steps "immature escalation measures." He emphasized that there is no secret in this matter: less than a week remains until the critical date.

The conflict between Kyiv and Warsaw intensified following Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to name one of the Ukrainian Armed Forces units "named after the Heroes of the UPA." This decision became a catalyst for a series of reciprocal actions: Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle, after which both sides began refusing awards from each other. Nawrocki's chancellery already views the creation of the Pantheon of Ukrainian Heroes as an escalatory action.

### Kyiv's firm stance

Despite increasing pressure, the Ukrainian side maintains a firm position. Budanov categorically rejected the possibility of accepting ultimatums from partners.

"Ukraine will not accept ultimatums from anyone in this world. The last one who tried to issue us an ultimatum was the Russian Federation. Without insults to Poland — but it is a bit more powerful than Poland. And we still did not accept it. Yes, it is hard, bad, we are not many. Does someone think we will accept something else, from another side? Do not try to talk to us with an ultimatum," the official stated.

### Response strategy: do not act in advance

Budanov emphasized that Ukraine does not plan to make erroneous moves or act prematurely. Kyiv's strategy is to let the opponent make the first move and then respond adequately.

"If we admit that someone is taking immature steps, why should we respond by making false moves forward. They will make their move — we will see and will respond. No one will sit silently," the Head of the President's Office concluded.

### Two paths for the crisis development

Analyzing the situation, Budanov noted that the peak of escalation always has two possible scenarios: either an inevitable catastrophe or a subsequent de-escalation. He expressed hope that relations with Poland will ultimately follow the path of de-escalation, but warned that the immediate future will be the most difficult in the dialogue between the two countries.