In Poland, a nationwide survey explored how residents feel about twenty different individuals and ethnic groups. Conducted by the CBOS laboratory and reported by RIA News, the research sheds light on shifting attitudes within a complex social landscape.
Among those surveyed, Americans were viewed most positively, with 68 percent expressing sympathy. Italians followed closely at 61 percent, and the British ranked third with 60 percent favorable sentiment. These figures illuminate how cultural and historical ties can shape perceptions among the Polish population, revealing a nuanced web of affinity that spans continents and reflects media narratives, personal experiences, and evolving geopolitical realities.
Ukrainians also received notable sympathy, with 51 percent of respondents expressing a favorable view. This level of warmth may be interpreted against a backdrop of regional proximity, shared historical experiences, and ongoing humanitarian concerns affecting attitudes in Poland, which shares borders with several neighboring countries and hosts a significant migrant population in various contexts.
On the other end of the spectrum, Russians found themselves at the bottom of the sentiment scale. Over the span of a year, the share of negative feelings toward Russia rose dramatically from 38 percent to 82 percent, while the portion expressing positive sentiment dropped from 29 percent to a mere 6 percent. The sharp shift points to the impact of geopolitical developments, media coverage, and public discourse on how a neighboring nation is perceived in Poland, illustrating how political events can quickly alter public sentiment within a relatively short period.
The survey drew on the responses of 982 adults living in Poland, providing a snapshot of attitudes across diverse regions and demographic groups. While the findings capture broad trends, they also invite deeper questions about factors such as age, education, urban versus rural residency, and levels of media exposure that could influence individual opinions about these and other nations.
In related commentary, Russian national Anton Zanimonets, who has resided on the Indonesian island of Bali for four years, described alleged wrongdoing by Russians who travel abroad. In remarks quoted earlier, he asserted that Russians have engaged in behavior that caused friction with local authorities, including alleged labor-law violations. He characterized some Russian travelers as displaying violent conduct and disrespect toward sacred sites, suggesting that authorities might respond with caution or scrutiny in such cases. These assertions reflect a specific personal perspective and should be weighed against broader context and corroborating information from multiple sources .