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Opinion poll

Poland and Poles as seen by Ukrainians 2024

The Mieroszewski Centre is publishing a report summarising the results of an opinion poll on the attitudes of Ukrainians towards Poland and Poles. The survey, conducted in November 2024 by the Info Sapiens studio on a representative group of 1,000 respondents, is the next edition of the cyclical analyses of 2022 and 2023. By comparing the results from previous years, the report allows the identification of long-term trends in Polish-Ukrainian relations. The results provide valuable information about changing attitudes, which are key to building dialogue and mutual understanding between our peoples.

The report looks at, among other things:

  • the declining sympathy of Ukrainians towards Poland and the reasons for this phenomenon,
  • the impact of the ‘grain crisis’ on bilateral relations,
  • the still high position of Poland as a culturally close neighbour,
  • key differences in the perception of Poland in different regions of Ukraine,
  • difficult historical issues that continue to burden the Polish-Ukrainian dialogue.

Changing perceptions of Poland

One of the most noticeable findings is the significant decline in positive opinions about Poland and Poles. In 2022, as many as 83% of Ukrainians had a good opinion of Poles, while in November 2024 this percentage had decreased to 41%. At the same time, the number of those with a neutral attitude increased, indicating the increasingly pragmatic nature of the relationship.

The decline in positive ratings was particularly evident during periods of economic stress, such as the ‘grain crisis’. Despite this, negative views remain low (5%), highlighting that these changes are mainly due to a shift from enthusiasm to a more balanced attitude.

Political crises and their impact on relations

The report highlights the importance of current political and economic events. In particular, the border crises related to Ukrainian grain exports have had a strong impact on the perception of Poland. The long-lasting transport blockades, publicised by the media, reduced the level of sympathy for Poland by 22.5 percentage points.

The data shows that in regions such as Galicia, where contacts with Poland are more frequent, the negative impact of the economic crises was less pronounced. Residents of Right Bank Ukraine had better attitudes towards Poles, which may be due to their lesser exposure to contentious issues.

Poland's support for Ukraine

Despite the decline in positive views, Poland remains one of Ukraine's key partners. When asked which countries help Ukraine the most during the war, Poland came in third place, behind the UK (34%) and Germany (29%). Poland was indicated by 23% of respondents.

In villages and small towns, Poland is rated almost on a par with Germany, while in large cities Germany has a significant advantage. These results suggest that the effectiveness of Polish humanitarian and military aid is highly appreciated, but there is a need to better communicate this support in urban areas.

Cultural proximity and interconnectedness

The report highlights that Poland is still perceived as the culturally closest country to Ukraine. This was expressed by 46% of respondents, a significant advantage over other neighbours such as Belarus (9%) or Slovakia (5%). The highest percentage of such responses was recorded in Galicia (55%) and in the villages. These data indicate the deep social and historical ties that continue to bind the two peoples together despite current economic and political tensions.

Historical problems as a challenge for dialogue

Historical disputes, such as the issue of exhumation of the victims of the Volhynian Massacre, play an important role in Polish-Ukrainian relations. The survey shows that one third of Ukrainians support the unblocking of the exhumation works unconditionally, while 40% believe that this should happen after Poland meets certain conditions.

Summary and perspectives

The report points to the complexity of Polish-Ukrainian relations, which are shaped by both current political events and historical contexts. Despite the decline in the level of sympathy, Poland is still a key partner for Ukraine, both in terms of military support and cultural proximity.

The results of the survey can be a valuable tool for decision-makers and organisations involved in building dialogue between our nations.

The Ukrainian and English language versions of the report will be available on 16 December.