Poland is witnessing a significant cooling of public opinion regarding military support for Ukraine. According to recent sociological data, the share of citizens advocating for continued aid to Kyiv has dropped substantially over the past year.
Poll results commissioned by the publication Rzeczpospolita and published by RBC-Ukraine demonstrate a worrying trend for Ukrainian diplomacy. While at the end of 2022 an absolute majority of Poles (77.5%) supported military aid, today this figure has fallen to 52.2%. At the same time, the share of opponents of such policy has risen from 18.3% to 45.2%.
Historical Disputes as a Catalyst for Change
Experts and analysts link the rapid shift in sentiment to a sharp deterioration in bilateral relations. The main cause of the cooling is cited as historical disagreements, which have once again come to the forefront of the political agenda.
Particular outrage in Polish society and political circles was caused by the decision of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to name one of the military units after the heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). This step was perceived extremely painfully in Warsaw, considering the historical context and the tragic pages of the past associated with the activities of this organization.
Impact on Politics and Trust in Leaders
Skeptical sentiments are having a direct impact on Poland's political landscape. Skepticism regarding aid to Ukraine is most pronounced among voters of opposition parties, including supporters of "Law and Justice," "Confederation," and the left-wing alliance Razem.
At the same time, criticism of Donald Tusk's government has intensified against the backdrop of information about the transfer of five PAC-3 missiles to Ukraine for Patriot air defense systems. These events have led to the level of trust Poles have in President Karol Nawrocki reaching record levels. The growth in his popularity correlates directly with the decision to deprive the President of Ukraine of a Polish state award.
Barriers to European Integration
Aside from security issues, the poll revealed serious rejection of the idea of Ukraine joining the European Union. More than half of the respondents (59.7%) spoke out against this step. Specifically, 32.3% of citizens expressed categorical rejection, while another 27.4% answered "rather no".
The decline in support and the rise in skepticism indicate that Polish society is re-evaluating its priorities, placing national interests and historical justice at the forefront.
