Europe finds itself looking in a fractured mirror of its stated values. Last year, near the border where Poland meets Belarus, Warsaw deployed troops to slow or halt a large flow of people seeking asylum. In other regions, the Middle East and Africa faced accusations that Lukashenko tried to manipulate migration to destabilize the European Union. Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak warned that open borders carried the risk of terrorist threats. Today, a 186-kilometer metal barrier runs along the icy frontier, a towering symbol of a government known for resisting refugee intake since 2015, including those from Syria who perished at sea or in perilous journeys. (citation: policy and security analysis, regional authorities)
The same government that rose to power amid debates over the Syrian crisis with the slogan Poland for Poles has evolved into one of Europe’s most open hosts for Ukrainian refugees. Since Russia’s invasion began, millions have crossed into Poland, and official registrations show at least 1.2 million Ukrainians considered residents, many benefiting from programs similar to those in other European nations. A 27-year-old Ukrainian, Eugenia Glushchenko, who arrived in Warsaw soon after the war started, described Poland’s generosity as beyond words: communities and institutions have mobilized in extraordinary ways to help. (citation: personal account and institutional reports)
This wave of solidarity began on the streets as hundreds of thousands of Poles opened homes to newcomers and organized practical support. Municipal authorities, historically more inclined to assist than the far-right leadership in Warsaw, continued to provide aid. “For many Poles, this is also our struggle,” says Pawel Kaczmarczyk, head of the Center for Migration at the University of Warsaw. He stresses the shared threat Ukrainians and Poles face and the deep empathy that has grown through the crisis. (citation: University of Warsaw Center for Migration)
Two categories of foreigners
In response to the surge of aid, Parliament moved swiftly. In March, lawmakers enacted measures granting Ukrainians access to education and health services, free transport, the right to work without a permit, and social support, mirroring benefits long enjoyed by Polish citizens. Tax incentives encouraged employers to hire Ukrainians, while estimates suggested substantial daily costs to sustain households hosting newcomers. A leading NGO director noted that the law effectively created two categories of foreigners: Ukrainians and others who might be seen as taking advantage of opportunities. (citation: parliamentary records and NGO analysis)
The policy debate reveals a tension in public discourse. Some observers argue that government rhetoric toward immigrants remains severe, even as the country accommodates a large influx of economic migrants. Kaczmarczyk notes that Poland’s prewar population included a sizable Ukrainian community, and the war has intensified the need for labor and social networks. When the conflict began, more than a million people were displaced, and many had built enduring family and cultural ties that continue to support the wider community. (citation: migration research and demographic studies)
White, Christian, European Poland
Rather than fitting a single stereotype of xenophobia, observers describe a more nuanced situation. Some argue that government aims reflect a preference for a white, Christian European identity, a perspective echoed by Polish leaders over the years. Yet the current reality shows generosity toward refugees that goes beyond rhetoric. The balance between cultural identity and humanitarian obligation remains a live debate in public life. (citation: political commentary and policy reviews)
Looking ahead, the major challenge is the medium-term integration of Ukrainians who choose to stay. Compassion fatigue has started to set in as households that opened their doors expected a temporary pause, not months of upheaval. Researchers warn that public generosity could wane if support networks strain and resources become tighter.
The trend is already visible in population shifts. Since the start of the war, major cities have seen noticeable growth: Warsaw up by roughly 15 percent, Krakow by about 23 percent, and Gdansk by around 34 percent, according to a May survey from a federation of municipalities. Resources are finite, and tensions could rise without a coordinated government plan to integrate Ukrainians. Experts stress that a clear, coherent approach is essential to maintain social harmony while meeting humanitarian responsibilities. (citation: municipal federation survey and policy brief)
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