Poland's support for Ukraine wears thin
The prospect of Ukraine's likely EU accession is becoming less popular with Poles, as farmers and truckers face price collapses. And with disputes over historical memory, too, mistrust is deepening. - 2026/10 / article
Polish support for Ukraine is waning as the country grapples with the economic and agricultural impact of the war, according to local farmers and experts. Jerzy Płachta, a farmer from Pińczów, expressed his personal hope that he would not live to see Ukraine join the EU, despite his family's long-standing ties to the European market.
Płachta and his wife manage a grain and legume farm, having volunteered to take in Ukrainian refugees and donate to charity during the conflict. However, they now face the reality of halved prices and reduced subsidies due to the influx of Ukrainian products, forcing them to cut costs and downsize their workforce. The financial strain is widespread, with a third of farms in Świętokrzyskie voivodeship now in financial difficulty.
This growing mistrust, fueled by disputes over historical memory, is further deepening the divide between Poles and Ukrainians. While Płachta maintains goodwill towards Ukrainians, he contends that Ukraine's accession to the EU poses a threat to Polish agriculture.
Written by urgent.news from Le Monde diplomatique (English)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.