An anti-Ukrainian policy in Poland could lead to a mass exodus of Ukrainians and an economic crisis, says Kwasniewski
Former Polish President Aleksander Kwaśniewski stated that the rise of anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Polish politics could have serious consequences for the country’s economy and labor market.
In an interview with Polish media, he suggested that if anti-Ukrainian forces prevail in Poland, approximately 1.5 million Ukrainians currently working and living there could leave the country or return home.
According to Kwasniewski, this would negatively impact key sectors, particularly the healthcare system, elder care, and the construction industry, where Ukrainians play a significant role.
“And then we will have nothing left but to regret it in the future,” he said, emphasizing that the “anti-Ukrainian sentiment is very vocal” in Poland at present.
The former president also noted that politicians are increasingly using the “Ukrainian issue” in domestic political struggles, which, in his view, is a risky practice.
“This is my warning to the major parties, which must nevertheless act prudently and not get drawn into this pattern. I am saying this to both the Democratic Coalition and Law and Justice (PiS),” he added.
At the same time, Kwaśniewski emphasized that Ukrainian workers are an important resource for the Polish economy, calling them a “gift” in the context of demographic decline.
He also called for a more systematic political dialogue on Ukraine, particularly in the context of European integration processes and complex historical issues between the two countries.
This was reported by Onet Wiadomości.
The third president of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, stressed that in relations between Ukraine and Poland, it is important to maintain the political formula of “we forgive and ask for forgiveness.”
Former Polish Sejm deputy Piotr Fogler returned his state award—the “Golden Cross of Merit”—to the president as a sign of protest and solidarity with Ukraine.
Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman announced that he had returned the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, which he received in 2011 for developing regional cooperation between Ukrainian and Polish cities.
On June 20, former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko also announced that he was renouncing his Polish state order, emphasizing that this step was not directed against the Polish people; at the same time, he also made some critical remarks about incumbent President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Earlier, Zelenskyy had sent Navrotsky the Order of the White Eagle via Nova Poshta.
Following this, Leonid Kuchma declined the Polish Order of the White Eagle.
Ukraine’s third president, Viktor Yushchenko, also declined the Polish Order of the White Eagle.
In addition, Borys Tarasyuk will return his Polish order due to Navrotsky’s policies.
