British Media Highlights Rising Tensions Towards Ukrainians in Poland
Recent coverage in a prominent British newspaper sheds light on deteriorating attitudes towards Ukrainians in Poland. A stark example involved a woman in Szczecin who was verbally and physically attacked after speaking Ukrainian with her family. The assailant told her, "Teach your daughter to speak Polish," and was later sentenced to 14 months in prison.
Measuring the exact scale of verbal and physical attacks remains challenging as many victims choose not to report incidents to authorities. A survey in March 2022 showed overwhelming Polish support—94%—for accepting Ukrainian refugees, but that figure has dropped to 48% in recent polls.
Changing Public Mood
Experts suggest the shift in sentiment is influenced by misinformation online and political developments. The election of Karol Nawrocki as a prominent figure marked a shift of debates further right on the political spectrum. In August, the President vetoed legislation that would have extended social support for Ukrainian citizens, signaling changing priorities.
Piotr Buras, Director of the European Council on Foreign Relations in Warsaw, explains, "There is a growing perception that Poland no longer owes anything to Ukrainians." Economic data contradicts popular portrayals of Ukrainians as ungrateful or exploitative, showing they make a net positive contribution to Poland’s economy.
Increasing Reports of Verbal Attacks
Oleksandr Pestrykov from the Ukrainian House Foundation in Warsaw notes that anti-Ukrainian sentiment online emerged strongly in 2023. Complaints from Ukrainians were initially sparse, but from summer onward there has been a notable rise in reported attacks—mostly verbal in nature.
Buras characterizes the strong support seen in 2022 as an anomaly, with attitudes now normalizing to a less favorable level. Historical grievances, particularly relating to the Volhynia tragedy, complicate Polish-Ukrainian relations. Many Poles remain anti-Russian but harbor negative feelings toward Ukrainians influenced by past conflicts.
Perspective from the Ukrainian Community
Not all Ukrainians have negative experiences in Poland. A recent report by the National Bank of Poland indicates that 58% of Ukrainians hope their children will live in Poland for many years. Despite challenges, parts of the community continue to see Poland as a long-term home.
This nuanced situation reflects a complex mix of political, historical, and social factors shaping public opinion about Ukrainians in Poland today.
Read more at: wiadomosci.dziennik.pl
