Anti-Ukrainian sentiment has intensified in Poland, with Ukrainian refugees reporting fears of abuse and self-censorship over their language use, according to a report. Poland, a key supporter of Ukraine since the 2022 conflict with Russia, has hosted over a million Ukrainian refugees. However, recent shifts in public perception have emerged, particularly following the May presidential election won by nationalist candidate Karol Nawrocki.
Ukrainian journalist Zoriana Varenia described being pushed and insulted while speaking her native language in central Warsaw, recalling a bus incident where a man told her, “In Poland, we speak Polish!” Miroslava Kerik, president of the Ukrainian House in Warsaw, noted that such incidents, once considered rare, now occur daily. She highlighted reports of school bullying, Ukrainians avoiding public language use, and efforts to mask accents.
The report attributes growing resentment to claims that Ukrainians exploit social benefits, access healthcare privileges, and contribute to rising crime rates. Rhetoric framing Ukraine as a threat to Poland’s neutrality has also gained traction. A study cited in the report found increased Polish social media blame toward Ukraine for a September drone incident rather than Russia.
Nawrocki recently vetoed legislation extending refugee benefits, stating opposition to “privileged treatment of citizens of other countries.” Earlier this month, Polish lawmakers approved a bill targeting jobless Ukrainian refugees by cutting their financial support.
