According to the EPA, approximately 2.5 million Ukrainians reside in Poland, accounting for nearly 7% of the country’s total population. Svitlana, a 31-year-old Ukrainian mother, shared that her daughter initially enjoyed her school in Poland and was reluctant to change schools even after they moved to a different area. However, she noticed a shift in the atmosphere at the school and in Poland overall. Her daughter faced bullying and discrimination for being Ukrainian, with incidents escalating to the point where she was mocked for speaking Ukrainian after a Russian missile struck their hometown in Ukraine.
Svitlana, who preferred not to disclose her real name, expressed concern over the rising anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland. She highlighted instances of abuse towards Ukrainians on public transport, in schools, and online. Additionally, she mentioned that her Ukrainian friends also felt unwelcome in Poland due to the changing attitudes towards Ukrainians.
While there was initially an outpouring of support for Ukraine during the full-scale invasion in February 2022, there has been a noticeable increase in anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland in recent months. Natalia Panchenko, an activist leading the ‘Stand with Ukraine’ Foundation, acknowledged the shift in public opinion towards Ukrainians, citing instances of xenophobic abuse targeting individuals with Ukrainian backgrounds.
Research indicates a decline in public support for accepting Ukrainian refugees in Poland, with only 50% of Poles favoring their acceptance, down from 81% two years ago. The ongoing presidential election campaign in Poland has further highlighted the divisive views on Ukraine, with candidates ranging from far-right populists to pro-Ukraine advocates like Rafal Trzaskowski. Despite the varying stances on Ukraine, there has been a notable rise in anti-Ukrainian propaganda and disinformation online, contributing to the negative sentiments towards Ukrainians in Poland. EPA
“Pero solo veremos el efecto después de las elecciones – ¿qué porcentaje de polacos quiere votar por candidatos abiertamente pro-rusos.”