A recent nationwide survey indicates that a clear majority of Poles support providing post-Soviet military aircraft to Ukraine. The study, commissioned by the portal wPolityce.pl and conducted by a research workshop under the banner Social changes, sheds light on public sentiment around this sensitive security issue.
The survey centers on the potential transfer of MiG-29 fighter jets that are currently not in active use by the Polish Air Force. It finds that about 60 percent of respondents favor such a move, signaling broad public readiness to support military aid in the form of aircraft transfers. A minority, roughly one in five, opposes the idea, while another fifth either remains undecided or has no firm opinion on the matter.
Support for the MiG-29 transfer is notably high among voters across major political formations in Poland. About three-quarters of supporters of the ruling Law and Justice party, as well as members of the Civic Coalition and Poland 2050, are in favor of delivering these jets to Ukraine. The political landscape thus appears relatively united on this aspect of defense assistance, at least in public opinion terms.
In mid-March, President Andrzej Duda commented during an interview with CNN International on the readiness to aid Ukraine with the remaining MiG-29s in Poland. He stated that the jets held by the Polish air service could be handed over, and that Ukraine would likely be prepared to use them right away. This commentary reflects a broad posture of practical support from the highest levels of Polish government, aligned with the public mood reflected in the study.
Polish authorities emphasize that any military equipment transferred to Ukraine would be replaced with modern armaments. The plan includes purchasing upgraded defense systems from allied partners in the United States and South Korea to maintain Poland’s own defensive capabilities and to modernize its armed forces over time.
Additionally, the study invites reflection on Poland’s role in broader security and international athletic governance issues. It considers how public opinion may influence decision-making during critical moments when the country weighs its commitments to collective defense and to humanitarian assistance in conflict regions. The research was conducted using computer assisted web interviewing from March 17 to 20, 2023. The online panel was nationwide and representative across gender, age, and urban-rural distribution, with a total of 1,045 participants contributing to the findings. The results provide a snapshot of contemporary attitudes during a period of heightened geopolitical tension and security considerations for Poland and its allies.
Source: wPolityce