Historical disputes are weighing more heavily on relations between Poland and Ukraine as the war with Russia continues. In a CBOS poll, 45.4 percent of respondents identified the Volhynia massacres during World War II and disputes over historical memory as the main reasons for unfavorable attitudes toward Ukrainians.
Social benefits and disinformation stand out
Concerns about Ukrainians’ access to social benefits were cited as a reason by 36.4 percent of respondents. Russian propaganda and online disinformation accounted for 26.2 percent, while statements by Ukrainian politicians were cited by 24.4 percent.
Poland has been among Ukraine’s strongest political and military supporters since the war with Russia began in 2022. However, the poll results indicated that historical disputes have become more prominent in relations between the two countries.
Highest level of unfavorable views
In a separate poll conducted by CBOS at the beginning of this month, 46 percent of respondents assessed Poland-Ukraine relations negatively. This was recorded as the highest level measured to date for unfavorable views of relations between the two countries.
Volhynia issue raises tensions
Tensions over the Volhynia massacres increased after Ukraine named a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, or UPA, at the beginning of the summer. In Poland, the UPA is particularly associated with the Volhynia massacres.
In 1943 and 1944, tens of thousands of Polish civilians were killed by Ukrainian nationalist forces in Volhynia and eastern Galicia. Ukrainians also died during retaliatory actions by Polish forces.
The Polish parliament officially recognized these deaths as genocide. Ukraine generally honors the UPA as part of a broader struggle against Nazi Germany and Soviet rule.
Warsaw calls on Kyiv to commemorate victims
The Polish government has repeatedly called on Kyiv to allow the opening of new graves for Polish victims and the holding of commemorative events. The two governments are trying to prevent historical disputes from weakening cooperation while the war with Russia continues.
