Poles on Ukraine and Polish–Ukrainian relations 2025 | Mieroszewski Centre

Its aim is to provide an in-depth analysis of Poles’ attitudes toward Ukraine, Ukrainians, and Polish–Ukrainian relations in the context of the ongoing war as well as long-term social and institutional strain.

The study was not designed to seek sensational conclusions or to answer the question “is it getting worse,” but rather to distinguish emotions—often amplified in social media—from actual social attitudes and to better understand the processes shaping relations between neighboring societies.

Ernest Wyciszkiewicz, Director of the Mieroszewski Centre:

“The level of emotion in online debates can be very high, but it does not directly reflect social attitudes. The data reveal far more nuance, ambivalence, and adjustment of expectations than a simple shift toward hostility.”

At the same time, the Mieroszewski Centre conducted an analogous public opinion survey in Ukraine. The results of that study were published in the report “Poland and Poles as seen by Ukrainians”, available here.

Diverse attitudes

The attitude of Poles toward Ukrainians living in Poland has cooled compared to the period before 24 February 2022. Currently, 39% of respondents declare a positive attitude, 35% a negative one, and 15% a neutral one (10% have no opinion), which indicates a strong polarization of views.

At the same time, attitudes toward Ukrainians living in Ukraine remain more stable and clearly positive. The average rating remains above the neutral level, suggesting that tensions are concentrated primarily around the presence of Ukrainians in Poland rather than toward Ukraine as such.

Support for Ukraine: from mobilisation to institutionalisation

Fifty-one percent of respondents believe that the current scale of assistance to Ukrainian refugees is too large, while only 5% consider it insufficient. These figures do not indicate opposition to the idea of providing support as such, but rather point to a growing demand for better organisation, predictability, and systemic solutions.

Łukasz Mazurkiewicz, President of ARC Rynek i Opinia:

“Focus group discussions clearly show that Poles increasingly direct their expectations not toward Ukraine, but toward the Polish state—asking how assistance should be organized in an orderly and long-term manner.”

Ukraine’s integration into the EU and NATO

Support for Ukraine’s integration into Western structures is conditional in nature. Forty-two percent of respondents support Ukraine’s accession to the European Union provided that specific criteria are met. Support for NATO membership is higher, but often contingent on the end of the war and the stabilization of the security situation.

History and memory as a lens for relations

Issues of history and historical memory remain an important context shaping Poles’ attitudes toward Polish–Ukrainian relations. In the study, they appear not as a closed chapter, but as a factor influencing assessments of the Ukrainian state’s intentions and expectations toward institutional actions. The significance of history becomes particularly visible during moments of political tension and dispute, when it serves as a reference point for social evaluations and emotions.

Migration and the future of Ukrainians in Poland

The study shows that questions about the future of Ukrainian refugees increasingly concern not the mere presence of migrants, but rather the functioning of the state and society under conditions of long-term coexistence. The expectation of refugees’ return after the end of the war, declared by 56% of respondents, does not indicate clear hostility toward migrants, but reflects a need for clear rules, predictability, and a long-term migration policy. At the same time, younger respondents more often perceive potential benefits of integrating some migrants into Polish society, pointing to generational differences in views on the future of migration.

Nature of the report

The report is diagnostic in nature. Its aim is to describe social processes rather than to formulate normative judgments. The data presented may serve as a basis for a more responsible public debate and for designing public policies that respond to real social needs.