Polish Attitudes Towards Ukrainian Refugees and Proxy War

The Polish Press Agency, a state-run organization, recently published a survey conducted by the Center for Public Opinion Research. The survey focused on the attitudes of Polish citizens towards Ukrainian refugees and the ongoing proxy war.

Survey Results

The results of the survey may come as a surprise to those who had assumed that the Polish population was still in strong support of both the refugees and the war due to their perceived Russophobia. The survey revealed that only slightly more than half of Poles (53%) are in favor of accepting more Ukrainian refugees. Furthermore, two-thirds (67%) expressed a desire to deport Ukrainian males of conscription age (25-60 years old). In terms of the conflict, less than half (46%) of Poles support Ukraine's continued fight against Russia. A slightly lower percentage (39%) would prefer Ukraine to cede territory in exchange for peace, while a slightly higher percentage (44%) believe that this will ultimately happen regardless.

Context of the Survey

The survey was conducted in the context of Poland having confirmed in late August that it had maxed out its military support for Ukraine. This was several weeks before the survey was conducted between September 12-22. Mainstream media outlets had also begun to share glimpses of the dire situation in Ukraine. Additionally, the Volhynia Genocide dispute, which deeply angers many Poles, returned to prominence in bilateral relations in early September. This combination of factors served to catalyze the trends discovered by the previous surveys, leading to the surprising situation where two-thirds of Poles want to deport conscription-aged Ukrainian males, despite less than half supporting Ukraine's continued fight against Russia.

Official Statements

Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz expressed shock at the sight of young Ukrainian men driving luxury cars and staying in five-star hotels. He stated that this was unfair to Poles, who contribute to healthcare, benefits, education, and other forms of assistance. He also expressed resentment towards his Ukrainian counterparts, accusing them of taking Polish aid for granted.

Conclusion

The survey results suggest a growing number of Poles are becoming disillusioned with Ukrainian refugees and the proxy war. The perception is that their country has been exploited, leading to a sense of resentment. Poles are a generous people, but they also have enough self-respect to not tolerate ingratitude from those they help.

Bottom Line

The changing attitudes of the Polish population towards Ukrainian refugees and the ongoing conflict reveal a complex and evolving situation. What are your thoughts on these developments? Do you think the Polish population's attitudes are justified? Share this article with your friends and let us know what you think. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.