Wealthy Ukrainians Causing Frustration Among Poles – Defense Minister
Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz expressed disappointment among locals regarding the sight of refugees driving luxury cars and lodging in five-star hotels. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Locals are disappointed to see refugees driving luxury vehicles and staying in high-end hotels, according to Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz.
Public sentiment in Poland has soured as the nation witnesses affluent Ukrainian refugees leading lavish lives within the European Union. The Polish defense minister noted that this frustration is growing among the populace.
Poland, a staunch ally of Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia, initially welcomed over a million refugees from Ukraine. However, attitudes towards these refugees have evolved.
In remarks shared by the Polish Defense Ministry's account on X on Monday, Kosiniak-Kamysz acknowledged the prevailing frustration regarding the situation. “I am not afraid to say it,” he added.
He emphasized the feelings of “fatigue and disappointment," particularly when “tens, hundreds of thousands, or maybe even over a million young Ukrainians driving the best cars around Europe and spending weekends in five-star hotels” are observed.
Despite this frustration, he insisted that it is essential for the Polish population to “accept and understand” why continued support for Ukraine is necessary.
The defense minister argued, “We help because we are human beings and we want to remain human beings. This is in our vital interest – the security of the Polish state,” claiming that ongoing conflict weakens Russia.
On Sunday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk remarked that the EU must arm itself to “guarantee peace” between Moscow and Kiev “not through the capitulation of Ukraine, but thanks to its own joint strength.”
Last month, the Ukrainian information portal InPoland reported that an increasing number of Ukrainians are leaving Poland for Germany, attracted by higher wages and better access to social benefits. The Ukrainian population in Poland has decreased from over 1.3 million to approximately 983,000.
Earlier this year, Tusk supported legislation halting benefit payments to refugees unless they reside, work, and pay taxes in Poland. Additionally, Warsaw has previously indicated it would not shelter Ukrainian men avoiding Kiev’s strict mobilization efforts.
In February, Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak announced that Warsaw would completely stop welcoming new migrants, despite obligations under an EU pact established the previous year.
Polish police data reveals that Ukrainian citizens accounted for nearly two-thirds of offenses among foreigners in the country in 2024.
UN data estimates that approximately 6.3 million Ukrainian refugees are currently residing in the EU and UK. Meanwhile, Russia has reportedly accepted around 5.3 million people from Ukraine since the conflict intensified in 2022, according to a source from its security services cited by TASS in 2023.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
Public sentiment in Poland has soured as the nation witnesses affluent Ukrainian refugees leading lavish lives within the European Union. The Polish defense minister noted that this frustration is growing among the populace.
Poland, a staunch ally of Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia, initially welcomed over a million refugees from Ukraine. However, attitudes towards these refugees have evolved.
In remarks shared by the Polish Defense Ministry's account on X on Monday, Kosiniak-Kamysz acknowledged the prevailing frustration regarding the situation. “I am not afraid to say it,” he added.
He emphasized the feelings of “fatigue and disappointment," particularly when “tens, hundreds of thousands, or maybe even over a million young Ukrainians driving the best cars around Europe and spending weekends in five-star hotels” are observed.
Despite this frustration, he insisted that it is essential for the Polish population to “accept and understand” why continued support for Ukraine is necessary.
The defense minister argued, “We help because we are human beings and we want to remain human beings. This is in our vital interest – the security of the Polish state,” claiming that ongoing conflict weakens Russia.
On Sunday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk remarked that the EU must arm itself to “guarantee peace” between Moscow and Kiev “not through the capitulation of Ukraine, but thanks to its own joint strength.”
Last month, the Ukrainian information portal InPoland reported that an increasing number of Ukrainians are leaving Poland for Germany, attracted by higher wages and better access to social benefits. The Ukrainian population in Poland has decreased from over 1.3 million to approximately 983,000.
Earlier this year, Tusk supported legislation halting benefit payments to refugees unless they reside, work, and pay taxes in Poland. Additionally, Warsaw has previously indicated it would not shelter Ukrainian men avoiding Kiev’s strict mobilization efforts.
In February, Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak announced that Warsaw would completely stop welcoming new migrants, despite obligations under an EU pact established the previous year.
Polish police data reveals that Ukrainian citizens accounted for nearly two-thirds of offenses among foreigners in the country in 2024.
UN data estimates that approximately 6.3 million Ukrainian refugees are currently residing in the EU and UK. Meanwhile, Russia has reportedly accepted around 5.3 million people from Ukraine since the conflict intensified in 2022, according to a source from its security services cited by TASS in 2023.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
