It's been more than two weeks since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began.



As of the 8th, the number of evacuees exceeded 2.15 million, of which more than 1.29 million were evacuated to neighboring Poland.


How do Polish people take it?


What do you think of Russia's invasion of Ukraine?



We asked Professor Jun Yoshioka of Tsuda College, who is familiar with the modern history of Poland, to analyze it based on local newspapers.


(International Department Reporter Akinori Yoshimoto)

What kind of country is Poland?

Adjacent to the western side of Ukraine, it is the most populous country (38.27 million, as of the end of 2020), with the exception of Russia, among the countries around Ukraine.

It joined NATO in 1999 and the EU in 2004.



According to Mr. Yoshioka, Russia "causes great anxiety as a military threat" for Poland.



It is said that it has a history of being oppressed by the former Russian Empire, occupying part of the territory by the former Soviet Union in World War II, and being subordinated during the Cold War.



On the other hand, relations with Ukraine were not always good due to historical and ethnic conflicts, but after the end of the Cold War, as international relations over Eastern Europe changed, both countries were conscious of "mutually" with Russia. I have some thoughts, but I have to get along with each other. "

What do many evacuees take in Poland?

Russia's invasion of Ukraine under these circumstances.



According to the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), as of the 8th, of the more than 2.15 million people evacuated from Ukraine, about 60%, or more than 1.29 million, have been evacuated to Poland. Says.



Mr. Yoshioka says that by analyzing the reports of national newspapers and television in Poland, the domestic perception can be seen.



Immediately after the invasion of Ukraine, polls reported by the media showed the following results.

<< Survey of the national newspaper "Jechposporita" >> * Conducted on February 25


▼ Should be accepted


・ All refugees should be accepted 57.9%


・ Only those who are most needed and threatened should be accepted 34.8%



▼ Should be accepted No


・ Should build and maintain refugee camps in Ukrainian territory only for the required period 3.1%


・ Should not be involved in support for Ukrainian refugees in the first place 1.0%



▼ I don't know 3.2%



《TV station “TVN24”》 * February 25 Implementation of the day


▼ Regarding acceptance of war refugees from Ukraine・


80% should secure evacuation shelters at the expense of the government ・Accept


war refugees at home and provide housing and food 33%


・ Send relief supplies 80%


willing to provide financial assistance 52% willing


to go out on the streets to express support 6%


have personal connections with Ukrainians living in Poland 53%


of war refugees Mass influx will be a threat to ourselves and their families 18%

What can you see from the polls?

Mr. Yoshioka says that given the feelings towards Ukraine in Poland so far, he was quite positive about the evacuees and support.



In a poll conducted by a research firm when Russia unilaterally annexed Ukraine's Crimean in 2014, the question "How should Poland behave?" Was answered by "keeping pace with other countries." 67 %, "Should not be involved" was 21%.



Mr. Yoshioka points out that the reason why public opinion in Poland is closer to Ukraine this time is that many people feel a sense of crisis about Russia.



(Professor Jun Yoshioka, Tsuda College)


"It was regarded as a big problem at the time of Crimea, but if Ukraine is occupied by Russia this time, there is a risk of Russian invasion and armed conflict in Poland, which borders on the border. I think that such a sense of crisis has led to a strong desire to "help Ukraine". "



On the other hand, there are increasing opinions that the influx of displaced people will make us feel uneasy in the future. There are also concerns.

How do you perceive the Russian invasion?

In the opinion poll of the TV station mentioned earlier, there was also a question about the invasion by Russia, and the result was as follows.



《TV station “TVN24”》 * Implemented on February 25


▼ Do you blame Russia's invasion of Ukraine?


81% blame strongly


・ blame 8%


・ Neither 7%


・ Do not blame 1 %


・ Do not blame 3%



From these survey results, Mr. Yoshioka says that the threat of Russia is seen as more urgent than ever in Poland.



(Professor Jun Yoshioka, Tsuda College)


"I think that the sense of distance from the place where the Russian army is gathering is" what is happening right next to you. "The degree of urgency of information is much more specific.



" Mr. Yoshioka cited one of the reasons for the growing sense of crisis in Poland as the "commonality" with the time when the former Soviet Union occupied part of the territory during World War II.



At that time, the former Soviet Union occupied the eastern half of Poland in the name of rescuing the Ukrainians and Belarusians who lived there, saying that "the Polish government does not exist because Germany invaded Poland". ..



This time, the fact that President Putin justifies the invasion as "to protect those oppressed by the Ukrainian government" is similar to such history, and many Poles do not feel a strong sense of urgency. Kato, Mr. Yoshioka is analyzing.

Ukraine crisis and Poland

The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 8th that it will immediately provide the United States with all MiG-29 fighters it owns, as Western countries proceed to provide weapons to Ukraine.



The former Soviet-made MiG-29 fighter is an aircraft that the Ukrainian army is accustomed to handling, and it seems that the response was made in response to the request from the Ukrainian side to provide it.



However, the US side has taken a cautious stance, saying that there are concerns about the transfer to Ukraine.



With the invasion of Russia, the movement to support Ukraine is increasing, and I would like to pay attention to the trend of Poland, which has a close relationship in history.