Survey: 90% of Ukrainians want constructive dialogue with Poland on historical disputes
A total of nine in ten Ukrainians support a constructive approach to resolving historical disputes with Poland: the majority believes each nation can have its own heroes and one third hopes for a shared view from historians.
Source: a survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), as reported by European Pravda
Details: Survey respondents were asked: "There are disputes between Poland and Ukraine over historical issues. Which approach do you support most?" Four answer options were offered.
The largest group of respondents – 57% – chose a pragmatic approach, reflecting a fair understanding that each nation may have its own heroes and that other nations should not interfere in these matters.
A further 33% hold a more idealistic expectation that a consensus and shared view of events can be reached through depoliticisation and the work of specialist historians.
By contrast, only 1% of respondents believe Ukraine should fulfil all of Poland's demands and generally align with Poland's view of their shared history. A further 4%, conversely, expect Poland to be stripped of agency in historical matters.
"The results of our surveys show that, firstly, Ukrainian society approaches the issues of historical disputes with Poland quite maturely and constructively. Almost all Ukrainians oppose the imposition of the Polish interpretation of shared history on Ukraine, and only a small share believes Ukraine should seek to impose its own interpretation on Poland," KIIS Executive Director Anton Hrushetskyi commented on the results.
"Secondly, there is no significant anti-Polish sentiment in Ukrainian society. Even in 2025, after an election campaign in Poland that featured anti-Ukrainian rhetoric, we did not observe any significant deterioration in Ukrainians' attitudes towards Poles," he added.
Background:
- On 23 June, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said Ukraine is engaged in diplomatic efforts with the Polish side to resolve the recent deterioration in relations between the two countries.
- On the evening of 19 June, Polish President Karol Nawrocki took the decision to strip Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle in connection with the naming of a Ukrainian military unit after the Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. He said Poland would not allow EU accession for those who do not understand the need to renounce the "cult of totalitarianism and violence".
- On 20 June, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had sent the order back to Nawrocki by post.
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