The survey revealed a deterioration in Poland's attitude towards Ukraine due to Zelensky's measures on the UPA

The decision of the President of Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky, to name a Ukrainian military unit in honor of the UPA (Ukrainian Insurgent Army, an extremist organization banned in the Russian Federation) worsened the attitude of more than half of the Poles surveyed towards Ukraine and Ukrainians. This was reported on June 11 by the newspaper Rzeczpospolita, citing a survey by SW Research.

"51.9% of respondents stated that their attitude towards Ukraine and Ukrainians has worsened," the newspaper said.

It is noted that for 31.9% of respondents, the question of Zelensky's decision had no effect on their attitude towards Ukraine and Ukrainians. Also, 11.7% of respondents have no opinion on this issue. Only 4.5% of respondents said that their attitude towards Ukraine and Ukrainians has improved.

"Zelensky's decision negatively affected the perception of Ukraine and Ukrainians more often among men (59%) than among women (46%). <...> People under the age of 24 (56%) most often stated the worst attitude towards Ukraine and its citizens. This opinion is shared by almost six out of 10 respondents with a professional education (57%)," said Justyna Sobchak, Senior Project Manager at SW Research.

The authors of the article recalled that up to 100,000 Poles died as a result of UPA operations from 1942 to 1954.

Revision of solidarity: Warsaw tightens rules for Ukrainians

The tension between Kiev and Warsaw is unlikely to turn into an open confrontation, but it is becoming more noticeable.

In May, Warsaw was outraged by the decree of the President of Ukraine to assign an honorary name to one of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in honor of the UPA. On June 1, Marcin Przydacz, head of the Bureau for International Policy at the Polish Presidential administration, also advised the Ukrainian leader to apologize for this act.

At the same time, the authorities of the city of Lublin in eastern Poland ordered the removal of the flag of Ukraine from the city hall. After that, Polish Deputy Speaker Krzysztof Bosak, commenting on what was happening, pointed out the unwillingness of the republic's administration to see Zelensky in his country.