In Poland, the attitude towards Ukrainian refugees is worsening

Among Poles, favorability toward Ukrainian refugees is declining. This applies to almost all areas where Ukrainians receive aid. The only exception is the admission of Ukrainian children to Polish schools. These results were presented by research from the University of Warsaw and the Academy of Economics and Humanities, reports Rzeczpospolita.

The results of the study show that only 31% of respondents believe that Poland is obliged to help Ukraine, and in January 2023, 62% thought so. But those who believe that Poland should “help as soon as possible” – 43%. At the same time, the share of Poles who opposed aid rose to 19%.

Also, 72% of Polish respondents believe that, despite the war between Ukraine and Russia, Poland should, first of all, consider its own interests, while only 15% hold the opposite that opinion.

In two years, the number of respondents who believe that Poland should not provide additional support to Ukraine has doubled. Poles are more supportive of material aid – that is, food and clothing, but the number of its supporters has fallen from 79% to 62%.

Now only 17% of Poles agree to accept refugees from Ukraine with the possibility of resettlement, while more than a year ago the number was 37%. 61% of respondents want Ukrainians to return to their homeland after the war.

A majority of Poles (95%) also believe that Poland should reduce benefits to Ukrainian refugees.

In addition, only 7% of Polish respondents assessed Poland’s relationship with President Vladimir Zelensky very positively, and 18% very negatively.

Let’s remember that in June, Polish President Andrzej Duda signed a law limiting benefits for Ukrainian refugees.

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