WARSAW: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Tuesday called for an end to xenophobic attacks against Ukrainians living in Poland, warning that such incidents undermine the country’s interests amid growing tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv.
Tusk’s remarks came after a video circulated widely on social media showing three Polish men assaulting a Ukrainian man and his girlfriend in the southwestern city of Wroclaw following an alleged dispute at a shop. Two suspects were arrested on Monday, according to authorities.
“Anyone who commits such vile acts is acting directly against Poland’s interests,” Tusk said during a government meeting, adding that such actions benefit forces seeking division between Poland and Ukraine.
Why Are Anti-Ukrainian Incidents Rising in Poland?
The latest attack comes amid increasing reports of hostility toward Ukrainians in Poland, where millions of refugees arrived following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
While Poland remains one of Kyiv’s strongest supporters in its war against Russia, public attitudes toward Ukrainian refugees have become more divided as the initial wave of solidarity has been replaced by concerns over social pressures, economic competition, and historical disputes.
Polish-Ukrainian relations have also been affected by disagreements over World War Two history, particularly Ukraine’s decision to name a military unit after a nationalist group that fought against Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union but is accused by Poland of involvement in massacres of Poles.
The dispute intensified in June when Polish President Karol Nawrocki removed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from Poland’s highest state honor.
How Many Hate Crime Reports Against Ukrainians Have Been Recorded?
Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita reported earlier in July that police received 180 reports of hate crimes targeting Ukrainians during the first half of 2026, representing a 30% increase compared with the same period last year.
Several recent incidents have drawn public attention.
In Poznan, a Polish man was reportedly attacked after intervening when a Ukrainian boy was allegedly being verbally harassed because of his nationality.
In Bielsko-Biala, a man was filmed insulting two Ukrainian girls over their nationality, while in Legnica, police charged a woman after she allegedly assaulted two Ukrainian teenagers.
Ukraine’s Ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Bodnar, condemned the attacks, saying such incidents were unacceptable and calling for those responsible to face justice.
The Polish government has emphasized that protecting Ukrainian citizens from discrimination remains important as Warsaw continues its political and security support for Kyiv amid the ongoing war with Russia.