Sikorski calls on Ukraine to 'tone down emotions' amid diplomatic crisis with Poland

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, during the NATO summit in Ankara, called on the Ukrainian side to exercise restraint in its rhetoric. According to the Polish diplomat, it is critically important for Kyiv to maintain Western support, and Warsaw has already done the maximum possible for this.

Call for restraint in Ankara

Sikorski made the statement in response to recent sharp comments by the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, who predicted a peak in tensions in Polish-Ukrainian relations. "I also spoke about this statement yesterday with the Foreign Minister of Ukraine (Andriy Sybiha). I think it is better to tone down emotions because Ukraine needs Western support, and Poland has done a lot for this," emphasized the head of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Budanov's warnings and the current crisis

On the eve of the summit, in an interview, Kyrylo Budanov stated that a difficult stage of bilateral relations is still ahead and noted that Ukraine does not intend to accept ultimatums. The diplomatic crisis between the countries reached a critical point after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded the title "Heroes of the UPA" to a special military unit.

In response to this decision, the President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, deprived the Ukrainian leader of the Order of the White Eagle. The situation remains extremely sensitive, especially on the eve of July 11 — the date when Poland commemorates the National Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Genocide (in the context of the Volhynian tragedy). The media speculate that the Polish leader may take additional decisive steps on this day.

First meeting of leaders after cooling

Despite the acuteness of the conflict, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Karol Nawrocki held personal talks at the NATO summit in Ankara. The press service of the Ukrainian leader reported that this meeting was the first after a long pause and turned out to be "long." This event became the first direct contact between the heads of state after a serious cooling of relations between Kyiv and Warsaw.