Support for Military Aid to Ukraine Dwindles in Poland, Poll Shows

Public support for military aid to Ukraine is waning in Poland, according to a new poll conducted by IBRiS for Rzeczpospolita. The survey reveals that 52.2% of respondents believe Poland should continue its military support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, while 45.2% disagree. This marks a significant decrease from late 2022, when a similar poll showed 77.5% of Poles in favor of providing weapons and military equipment.

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52.2 percent of respondents believe that Poland should continue to militarily support Ukraine in the conflict with Russia. The opposing view is held by 45.2 percent of respondents, while 2.5 percent have no opinion on the matter.

The recent Polish-Ukrainian dispute over historical issues, particularly Ukraine's recognition of UPA heroes, has intensified tensions. This has led to protests from Polish politicians and actions such as President Andrzej Duda revoking an award from a Ukrainian official. The Polish government, led by Donald Tusk, has faced criticism, especially from opposition parties like PiS and Konfederacja, for transferring Patriot missile systems to Ukraine.

Government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, have argued that aiding Ukraine against Russian aggression ultimately distances the threat from Poland. Currently, Polish support includes training Ukrainian soldiers and providing military equipment and ammunition.

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Helping Ukraine repel Russian aggression distances the Russian threat from Poland.

The poll highlights a polarization of opinions, with 22.6% strongly supporting continued aid and 23.7% strongly opposing it. Opposition supporters, particularly those from PiS and Konfederacja, along with individuals not participating in elections, tend to be more against continued military assistance. These individuals are often younger, reside in rural areas, and may rely on social media for international news.

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In late December 2022, Polish people had no doubts that Ukrainian soldiers fighting Russian aggression needed to be rearmed. 77.5 percent of respondents were in favor of transferring weapons and armaments to Ukrainian soldiers, against - 18.3 percent, and only 4.2 percent had no opinion.