If, in 2022, the majority of Poles—who have traditionally held negative views of Russia and Russians—supported Ukraine, welcomed refugees, and backed its bid to join the European Union, public sentiment has now shifted dramatically.
Even Poland’s pro-European, center-left Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who until recently was sympathetic to Ukraine, has acknowledged the change. Amid growing anti-Ukrainian sentiment, he has largely distanced himself from the Ukrainian agenda.
“From my conversations with ordinary people, I know that anti-Ukrainian sentiment has become very widespread. I understand the public mood, and I often understand people’s justified frustration. There are incidents and attitudes that can explain such tensions and feelings. I will not contribute to escalating these tensions. Whether it is popular or not does not concern me at the moment. I am convinced that Poland’s long-term interest lies in building the best possible relationship based on a vision of the future, rather than on the traumas of the past. Although those traumas are fully justified, especially from the Polish perspective. Therefore, I will not participate in any actions that deepen these tensions,” Tusk said.
The controversy surrounding President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decision to name a Ukrainian military unit after the “Heroes of the UPA” has boosted support for Poland’s far-right parties. The Confederation Liberty and Independence party has reached 13.93% support, firmly establishing itself as the country’s third-largest political force. Meanwhile, the even more right-wing monarchist Confederation of the Polish Crown, which split from the Confederation last year, has risen to 7.66%.
Tusk’s Civic Coalition remains in first place with 34% support, but with Law and Justice (PiS) polling at 26.17%, Poland could see a right-wing, anti-Ukraine majority emerge in the Sejm after the next parliamentary elections, scheduled for next year.
Yesterday, Jarosław Kaczyński, leader of Law and Justice, clearly outlined his party’s position on Ukraine, calling on the Polish government to block negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.
According to another public opinion survey, six out of ten Poles support this position.
Only 8.4% of respondents expressed unequivocal support for Ukraine’s EU membership. Another 26.9% answered “rather yes,” indicating conditional support. Meanwhile, 27.4% responded “rather no,” and 32.3% said “definitely no.”
