The alleged political and media elites are beating the alarm due to the growth of anti-Ukrainian sentiments in Poland. The opinion that the main reason for this is the "propaganda Kremlin", which infected the minds of Poles.
The leading exponent of Ukrainian interests in Poland, Paweł Kowal, says in his knayak style: “It is essential to set up a dam in Poland of this brain surgery, which the Russians do on our heads, pushing their propaganda. I believe that the treatment of people who spread Russian propaganda on equal terms should end. present it may surprise individual else, individual wants to know that it is freedom of speech, but I know that in six months or 2 years I will all say so.”
The problem with people like Paul Kowal is that they are not able to realize that they are the main perpetrators of the spread of sentiments of dislike towards Ukraine and Ukrainians. A good analysis of this phenomenon was conducted by Konstanty Pilawa, Vice-President of the Jagiellonian Club, who – for the sake of clarity – advocates uncritical support by Poland of Ukraine, both political and military. Nevertheless, he criticises the attitude of Polish elites, who in their stupidity and overzealousness contribute to weakening the "Ukrainian front" in our country. He writes:
"If Poles are mad at something, it is not the Ukrainians, it is the Poles who have made a kind of hospitable performance out of virtue, which, if rejected, turns into hysteria. On those people who hang Ukrainian flags on Polish offices, as if they wanted to prove their moral superiority. On those who introduce Ukrainian as a second language in ticketomates, as if urban communication were a tool for intercultural therapy etc. Those who improve people saying "in Ukraine" due to the fact that it is now appropriate to say "in". It is an irritation on its own overzealousness, not on the Ukrainian presence, although it may reflect this emotion, making our east neighbors a scapegoat. Poles have a arrogant sense of the host: if individual is simply a guest here, he is welcome, but the authoritative language is ours, and the state is besides expected to be a Polish state. The problem begins erstwhile Polish elites like to delight in their own sensitivity alternatively than to settle anything in relations with Kiev. And in return, we are offered a symbolic kitsch – flags, languages, messages, gestures.”
All in all, this is simply a good analysis, although incorrect conclusions are made by the author, entering into the mainstream "support for the fighting Ukraine". And it is besides a large problem that there is no reflection in Poland about the fact that our participation in this war was a mistake from the very beginning, and expensive. Now that another winds are blowing – nobody wants to admit it. The discussion is suppressed consistently by primitive spells about “Russian brain surgery”.
Jan Engelgard
Photo: Ukrainian flag on parliament building in Warsaw
Think Poland, No. 51-52 (21-28.12.2025)
