Polish Society Becomes Increasingly Skeptical About Aid to Ukrainian Refugees
According to the latest survey conducted by Poland’s Center for Social Communications (CBOS), half of the Polish population considers the amount of aid their country provides to Ukrainian refugees to be excessive.
The results indicate a slightly worsening attitude toward accepting Ukrainian displaced persons over the past six months.
Currently, support for opening borders to Ukrainian refugees has fallen to 48%, while 45% oppose — the highest figures since 2014 when the question was first posed to respondents.
Additionally, more than half (50%) believe that aid provided by Poland to Ukrainians is too substantial, whereas a smaller percentage (46%) think it is appropriate and justified.
Over 58% of Poles believe that access to social benefits and services, such as the “800 Plus” child allowance or free medical care, should be limited only to Ukrainians who work and pay taxes in Poland.
About a quarter (25%) of respondents think that Ukrainian beneficiaries of these services should also hold refugee status, in addition to work and paying taxes.
A small share, 8%, believes that Ukrainians in Poland should not have access to such benefits at all.
The survey reflects a growing dissatisfaction with aid measures and a decline in support for Ukraine’s integration into the EU and NATO within Polish society, which are influential factors shaping political and social landscapes in the country.