Le Monde reports a significant surge in anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland following the May presidential election victory of nationalist candidate Karol Nawrocki. Ukrainian refugees are now facing heightened social challenges, with many avoiding speaking their native language in public out of fear of abuse. This shift in attitude comes amid Poland’s role as one of Ukraine’s key backers since the Russian invasion in 2022, which has seen the country host over a million Ukrainian refugees.
Ukrainy journalist Zoriana Varenia shared accounts of discrimination, including being pushed and insulted for speaking Ukrainian in Warsaw. She also recounted an incident on a bus where a man told her, “in Poland, we speak Polish.” Miroslava Kerik, president of the Ukrainian House in Warsaw, noted a marked increase in such incidents, stating, “a year ago, we considered this kind of incident to be marginal. Now, not a day goes by without such stories being told to us.”
Reports indicate that Polish resentment is fueled by claims that Ukrainian refugees are abusing public benefits, receiving preferential access to healthcare, and contributing to a rise in crime. Rhetoric suggesting Ukraine is trying to pull Poland into the conflict is also gaining traction. A study by Res Futura analytics found that more Polish social media users blamed Ukraine rather than Russia for a drone attack earlier in September.
Presidential candidate Nawrocki’s recent veto of legislation extending benefits for Ukrainian refugees, citing “no agreement with the privileged treatment of citizens of other countries,” underscores the political climate. A parliamentary bill to strip jobless Ukrainian refugees of payouts has also passed, reflecting the growing anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland.
Analysis of public discourse suggests that the growing resentment stems from a combination of political polarization and social tension. The election of Nawrocki, who is associated with nationalist policies, has emboldened certain segments of the population to express their grievances openly. Additionally, the influx of Ukrainian refugees has placed a strain on local resources and services, exacerbating existing tensions. This sentiment has also been reinforced by political rhetoric that frames Ukrainian refugees as a threat to Polish society and national identity.
Efforts to address these issues have included legislative measures such as the recent parliamentary bill to remove benefits from jobless Ukrainian refugees. However, critics argue that these measures are discriminatory and ignore the humanitarian needs of refugees who have fled war and persecution. The situation highlights the complex interplay between political discourse, social attitudes, and the challenges of managing refugee populations in a post-conflict context.
The growing anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland raises concerns about the potential for increased discrimination and social division. It also underscores the broader challenges faced by European countries in managing the refugee crisis while balancing political and social interests. As tensions continue to mount, the situation may have implications for bilateral relations between Poland and Ukraine, as well as for the broader European response to the war in Ukraine.