Warsaw, May 15, 2025 – Three years after Poland opened its doors to millions of Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russia’s invasion, a growing wave of xenophobia is casting a shadow over the initial outpouring of solidarity. Reports of abuse, bullying, and anti-Ukrainian sentiment are on the rise, fueled by a contentious presidential election campaign and shifting public attitudes, according to activists, refugees, and recent polls.
A Waning Welcome
In early 2022, Poland became a beacon of compassion as over 5.4 million Ukrainians crossed its borders, escaping the devastation of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Polish volunteers provided food, housing, and transportation, while Ukrainian flags adorned windows across cities like Warsaw, Kraków, and Gdańsk. However, recent accounts suggest that the warm reception is fading. A March 2025 poll by the CBOS Centre revealed that only 50% of Poles now support accepting Ukrainian refugees, a sharp decline from 81% two years ago.
Natalia Panchenko, head of the Warsaw-based Stand with Ukraine Foundation, described the initial response as “amazing,” with Poles offering homes, food, and heartfelt support. “Three years later, the majority still support Ukraine, but we’ve seen an upsurge in anti-Ukrainian abuse online and in real life,” she told the BBC. Refugees report incidents of hostility, including verbal abuse on public transport and bullying in schools, with some being told to “go back to Ukraine.”
Personal Stories of Hostility
Svitlana, a Ukrainian mother living in Poland, shared a distressing experience involving her daughter, who faced bullying at school for speaking Ukrainian. “Girls from the class above mocked her, pretending to fall and shouting ‘Missile! Get down!’ while laughing,” Svitlana recounted. The incident followed a Russian missile strike in her hometown that killed civilians, leaving her daughter in tears. Such experiences are increasingly common, with refugees feeling targeted due to their nationality.
Kateryna, a 33-year-old Ukrainian who has lived in Poland for years, noted a stark change in public sentiment. In 2022, strangers greeted her with “Slava Ukraini” (Glory to Ukraine). But in recent months, she has faced hostility, including being cursed at for reading a Ukrainian book on a tram and being shoved outside a social security office with shouts of “No one wants you here.” While she emphasizes that such incidents remain rare, they were unthinkable three years ago.
Political Fuel on the Fire
The ongoing presidential election, with its first round held on May 11, 2025, has amplified tensions. Candidates across the political spectrum have adjusted their rhetoric to reflect growing public fatigue. Conservative candidate Karol Nawrocki, from the Law and Justice party, has campaigned on a “Poland first, Poles first” platform, opposing financial aid for Ukrainian refugees while supporting Ukraine’s war effort. Far-right candidate Grzegorz Braun, polling at 3%, has faced police investigation for tearing down a Ukrainian flag during a rally in April, an act that symbolizes the rising anti-Ukrainian sentiment.
Even centrist candidate Rafał Trzaskowski, the pro-Ukrainian mayor of Warsaw, has proposed limiting social benefits like the “800+” child allowance (800 zlotys, or $210, per month per child) to Ukrainian refugees who work and pay taxes in Poland. Political analyst Marcin Zaborowski noted that Trzaskowski is “responding to the change in public attitudes” to appeal to centrist voters, as the initial enthusiasm for supporting refugees wanes.
Sławomir Mentzen of the far-right Confederation party has gone further, blaming Ukrainians for overcrowded schools and rising housing costs, accusing them of exploiting Polish generosity. Such rhetoric has found traction among some Poles, particularly as economic pressures and cultural differences fuel resentment.
Economic Contributions Amid Challenges
Despite the hostility, Ukrainian refugees and migrants significantly contribute to Poland’s economy. Approximately 2 million Ukrainians live in Poland, including nearly 1 million war refugees and pre-war economic migrants. According to the Polish Economic Institute, 65% of Ukrainian refugees are employed, often in sectors like construction, hospitality, and IT, with 70,000 Ukrainian-run businesses operating in the country. “Ukrainians are helping the Polish economy to develop,” an official told The Associated Press, noting that the 35,000 refugees receiving aid without working represent only a fraction of their tax contributions.
However, challenges persist. Many refugees work below their qualifications, with 46% in roles not matching their skills, compared to 32% for pre-war migrants. Language barriers and discrimination in hiring exacerbate these issues, with some employers responding less frequently to Ukrainian applicants than to Polish ones.
Historical Context and Cultural Tensions
Poland and Ukraine share deep historical and cultural ties, which initially facilitated the warm reception of refugees. However, past tensions, including the 2014 conflict in eastern Ukraine, have periodically strained relations. Małgorzata Bonikowska, president of the Center for International Relations, noted that cultural differences sometimes lead Poles to perceive Ukrainians as “pushy or entitled,” contributing to friction. Rafał Pankowski, a sociologist at the anti-xenophobia group Never Again, has tracked rising anti-Ukrainian sentiment since 2022, attributing it partly to far-right rhetoric and disinformation campaigns.
In 2022, non-Ukrainian refugees, particularly from Africa and Asia, faced overt racism at Polish borders, with reports of violence and discrimination. While the current wave of xenophobia primarily targets Ukrainians, it echoes broader anti-immigrant sentiments that have grown since the 2015 European migrant crisis, when Poland resisted accepting refugees from the Middle East and Africa.
A Call for Action
Activists and refugees are urging Polish authorities to address the rising xenophobia. Natalia Panchenko emphasized that many refugees are traumatized, with relatives fighting or killed in Ukraine, making them particularly vulnerable to abuse. “These women and children are targeted despite their suffering,” she said. The Polish government has been called to combat hate speech and ensure equal treatment, while organizations like Stand with Ukraine continue to provide support and advocate for refugees.
As Poland navigates its role as a key ally to Ukraine and a home to nearly a million refugees, the challenge lies in sustaining solidarity amid growing social and political divisions. While the majority of Poles and Ukrainians coexist peacefully, the rise in xenophobic incidents signals a need for renewed efforts to foster understanding and integration.
Sources: BBC, The Associated Press, CBOS Centre, Polish Economic Institute, Never Again