Attitudes of Polish political parties towards Ukraine (2013-2022)

The study titled Attitudes of Polish Political Parties Towards Ukraine (2013-2022) looks at how Polish political parties have developed their views and policies on Ukraine during a time of major geopolitical changes. From the Euromaidan protests to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Polish parties have shown different attitudes, influenced by historical connections, immigration worries, economic relationships, and security concerns. The main assumption of this study is based on the statement that despite ideological differences, all Polish political parties’ views and actions towards Ukraine, are influenced by the same key factors: common history, growing economical cooperation, migration tendencies, and evolving geopolitical situation in Eastern Europe. While these factors are eqaully significant, the way they are prioritized and interpreted differs based on each party’s political ideology. The introduction explains the complicated nature of Polish-Ukrainian relations, which are based on shared history and have been affected by key events like Poland joining the European Union and NATO, Ukraine's desire to join the EU, and conflicts with Russia. Since 2015, Poland's political scene has been mostly controlled by the Law and Justice (PiS) party, which has strongly influenced the country's foreign policy, particularly towards Ukraine. The study focuses on how key political parties—Law and Justice, Civic Platform, the Polish People’s Party, and the Left—have changed their opinions on topics such as historical conflicts, Ukrainian immigration, economic partnerships, and Ukraine’s bid for EU membership. It also looks at how these views have shifted due to events like Russia’s takeover of Crimea, the conflict in Donbas, and the 2022 Russian invasion. The research highlights the impact of historical events, like the Volhynian massacre, on shaping party views, as well as the effects of current issues like Ukrainian workers coming to Poland, which has brought economic advantages but also social issues. The arrival of Ukrainian refugees after the Russian invasion has further changed the political conversation, making parties rethink their policies. Polish political parties have different views on Ukraine's desire to join the EU, showing a range of concerns about security, economics, and national identity in Europe. The ruling party, PiS, has a more conservative and nationalistic approach, while the opposition party, Civic Platform, is more liberal and supportive of European integration. Smaller parties like the Left and Confederation also contribute to the discussion, making it more complex. The study examines how domestic politics, historical factors, and regional security issues have shaped Polish parties' policies towards Ukraine, offering a detailed look at how these factors might affect future relations between Poland and Ukraine.