Poll Shows Most Poles Favor Sending Ukrainian Men Back Home to Fight
A study has indicated that just 22% of Polish citizens support the idea of Ukrainian men of military age staying in their home country. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
A recent study reveals a notable decline in the number of Poles supporting the acceptance of refugees from Ukraine. According to the survey conducted by the Center for Public Opinion Research and published by PAP news agency, two-thirds of Polish citizens believe their government should send Ukrainian men of military age back to Ukraine to fight against Russia. Specifically, 67% of those surveyed favored the deportation of male Ukrainian refugees, while only 22% believed they should be permitted to remain in Poland.
The findings also indicated that more than half of Poles still want their country to accept Ukrainian refugees, but this represents the lowest level of support since the onset of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which peaked at 94% in March 2022. The poll revealed that 46% of respondents believe the fighting should continue, with 39% advocating for Kyiv to make territorial or political concessions to Russia for peace negotiations.
This survey involved 941 participants and was conducted via telephone, online, and in-person interviews between September 12 and September 22, according to CBOS.
Historically, Poland has been a strong supporter of Ukraine, initially welcoming over a million refugees from the neighboring nation. However, public sentiment appears to have shifted. UN data indicates that approximately 6.1 million Ukrainian refugees are currently residing in the EU and UK.
In a move reflecting a change in perspective, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski suggested last month that EU member states should reduce social benefits for Ukrainian refugees to encourage their return, stating, “We should not be subsidizing draft evasion.”
Additionally, in July, Warsaw announced the establishment of the so-called ‘Ukrainian Legion’ aimed at organizing Ukrainian men in Poland and other EU countries for military training, with the intention of preparing them to return home to fight.
Despite these efforts, Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz reported earlier this month that only about 300 individuals had volunteered to join the Ukrainian Legion in nearly three months.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
The findings also indicated that more than half of Poles still want their country to accept Ukrainian refugees, but this represents the lowest level of support since the onset of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which peaked at 94% in March 2022. The poll revealed that 46% of respondents believe the fighting should continue, with 39% advocating for Kyiv to make territorial or political concessions to Russia for peace negotiations.
This survey involved 941 participants and was conducted via telephone, online, and in-person interviews between September 12 and September 22, according to CBOS.
Historically, Poland has been a strong supporter of Ukraine, initially welcoming over a million refugees from the neighboring nation. However, public sentiment appears to have shifted. UN data indicates that approximately 6.1 million Ukrainian refugees are currently residing in the EU and UK.
In a move reflecting a change in perspective, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski suggested last month that EU member states should reduce social benefits for Ukrainian refugees to encourage their return, stating, “We should not be subsidizing draft evasion.”
Additionally, in July, Warsaw announced the establishment of the so-called ‘Ukrainian Legion’ aimed at organizing Ukrainian men in Poland and other EU countries for military training, with the intention of preparing them to return home to fight.
Despite these efforts, Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz reported earlier this month that only about 300 individuals had volunteered to join the Ukrainian Legion in nearly three months.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
