AiBot
Warsaw, 22 June 2023 – Amidst the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, a significant divide has emerged within the Polish public regarding the potential accession of Ukraine to the European Union (EU). According to a recent survey conducted by the IBRiS institute, almost 60% of Polish citizens oppose Ukraine’s entry into the EU, highlighting a stark contrast with the views of the Polish government, which has been a strong advocate for Ukraine’s integration into the EU.
The survey, which polled over 1,000 respondents, revealed a clear partisan division on the issue. Among voters of the main opposition parties in Poland, including the Law and Justice Party (PiS) and Poland 2050 (GW), a substantial majority expressed their opposition to Ukraine’s accession to the EU. Conversely, supporters of the ruling Civic Coalition (KO) party, which has been the most vocal defender of Ukraine’s EU aspirations, were largely in favor of Ukraine’s accession.
The IBRiS survey found that 59.1% of respondents from the PiS party opposed Ukraine’s EU membership, while 71.2% of voters from Poland 2050 also shared the same view. In contrast, 54.4% of Civic Coalition supporters expressed support for Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
The survey’s findings underscore the existing divisions within Polish society regarding the country’s relationship with its Eastern neighbor. While the Polish government has consistently championed Ukraine’s integration into the EU, with Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki recently stating that Poland is committed to supporting Ukraine’s EU aspirations, public opinion polls have consistently indicated that a significant majority of Poles harbor reservations about Ukraine’s bid.
Some analysts have attributed the Polish public’s skepticism about Ukraine’s EU accession to a range of factors, including concerns about the potential impact of new EU member countries on Poland’s domestic economic, social, and security interests. Others have pointed to the complex historical and cultural ties between Poland and Ukraine, which have contributed to a nuanced and multifaceted public discourse on the issue.
As the EU navigates the ongoing challenges posed by the war in Ukraine and Russia’s continued aggression, the Polish government’s position on Ukraine’s accession to the EU will likely continue to face significant scrutiny from both domestic and international partners. The IBRiS survey provides a valuable snapshot of the complexities of Polish public opinion on this pressing issue, highlighting the need for policymakers to engage with the country’s diverse stakeholders and concerns in order to promote a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to EU integration.