Polish lawmaker calls for crackdown on Ukrainian migrants
A fatal incident occurred last Thursday in Jarosław, a city in southeastern Poland. A 31-year-old Ukrainian man entered a Catholic convent and attacked five people with a knife. One priest was killed on the spot, and four others were injured. The suspect was apprehended later that night while traveling toward the Ukrainian border after crossing into Poland from Germany. Prosecutors are still investigating his motives.
Political reactions followed swiftly. Henryk Kowalczyk, a member of parliament from the Law and Justice party and a former deputy prime minister, voiced his concerns. Speaking to Polish Radio, he stated that the killing would “undoubtedly trigger a new wave of hostility toward Ukrainians.” He added that politicians should not incite anti-Ukrainian sentiment, but emphasized: “We are talking about facts.” His underlying message was clear: since a Ukrainian national murdered a Polish priest and injured multiple others, public opinion will draw its own conclusions—without needing political fuel.
What Kowalczyk truly aimed to highlight was border control. He repeatedly stressed one point: the suspect had entered Poland via Germany. He argued that Poland “has no effective control over the German-Polish border,” while Germany conducts selective checks. His logic is straightforward: Poland cannot allow unrestricted entry, especially for individuals who first arrive in Germany before slipping into Poland. In his view, punishing the attacker alone is insufficient; authorities must take broader lessons from this case—that border security must be strengthened proactively, not merely after fatalities occur.
This attack is not an isolated case. Public attitudes toward Ukrainian migrants in Poland have been deteriorating over recent years. A July survey by CBOS revealed a striking shift: 52% of Poles oppose accepting Ukrainian refugees, compared to 42% in favor—a reversal for the first time since the question began being tracked. In early 2022, shortly after the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, support had reached as high as 94%. A subsequent CBOS poll in September showed that only 53% of Poles believe Poles and Ukrainians can reconcile—down to a historical low—with 38% outright stating it is impossible.
Earlier this week, Ambassador Bondar of Ukraine in Warsaw also addressed the issue. He reported that incidents targeting Ukrainians and acts of hostility rose by approximately 30% in the first half of 2026, with Polish police recording 180 cases—nearly two-thirds of the total number (275) recorded throughout all of 2025. This trend raises serious concerns.
The tensions between Poland and Ukraine are further complicated by unresolved historical grievances. The naming of a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), which Poland holds responsible for massacring Polish civilians during World War II, has strained bilateral relations. In response, President Andrzej Duda revoked President Zelenskyy’s highest honor—the White Eagle Decoration—citing the naming decision as grounds.
Domestic media in Poland have largely focused their coverage on border management. Kowalczyk’s remarks were widely cited, with the central argument being that the German-Polish border remains vulnerable, and the suspect’s unimpeded movement through Germany underscores systemic failure to intercept at-risk individuals. Right-wing outlets tend to frame the event as a case of failed migration policy, while left-leaning and centrist media adopt a more cautious stance, urging restraint until investigation results are available and cautioning against generalizing blame onto the entire Ukrainian population.
International reporting has varied in emphasis. News agencies such as Reuters and AP focused on factual reporting, framing headlines around “Ukrainian kills Polish priest” and “Polish MP calls for migrant crackdown,” placing the incident within the context of Poland’s approaching election cycle. German media paid particular attention to the detail that the suspect entered Poland from Germany, noting that Kowalczyk’s comments implicitly criticized German border practices. Berlin has not issued a direct response, though border control issues between the two countries have long been a diplomatic concern. Russian media seized the opportunity to amplify existing tensions, with outlets like RIA Novosti emphasizing claims that “Ukrainian soldiers” were involved, seeking to portray the event as evidence of Ukrainian unreliability.
From the public reaction, the sensitivity of this incident stems from its convergence with several deep-seated anxieties in Polish society: security concerns, shifting public sentiment toward Ukrainian refugees, and unresolved historical disputes between the two nations. While Kowalczyk claimed “no additional fuel is needed,” the incident itself has already provided ample tinder. What remains to be seen is whether the Polish government will take concrete action on border policy—or continue down the familiar path of strong statements without meaningful implementation.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1877488442337356/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.