The dynamics of the mutual perception of Ukrainians and Poles as a result of the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian War
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Abstract. The goal is to explore the dynamics of mutual perception of Ukrainians and Poles as a result of the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war. Scientific novelty. The authors have studied a number of materials from the press and sociological services of Ukraine and Poland, which have been introduced into scientific circulation for the first time. As a result of studying the source material and professional literature, the authors found changes in the mutual perception of Ukrainians and Poles after the outbreak of the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war, determined the reasons for the decline in positive sympathy of Polish society towards Ukrainians and refugees from Ukraine, as well as Ukrainian society towards Polish citizens, and predicted the threats and dangers of such dynamics for interstate relations between Ukraine and Poland. Conclusions. The Russian-Ukrainian war has led to closer contacts between Ukrainians and Poles, bringing the two neighboring nations much closer together. The tremendous level of support and assistance from Polish society influenced the public mood of Ukrainians and Poles. As a result, after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Poles and Ukrainians became more accepting of each other. In the second half of 2023 and early 2024, the mutual reception of Ukrainians and Poles underwent certain changes. The misunderstanding that arose in interstate relations between Ukraine and Poland over the export of Ukrainian agricultural products to international markets, as well as the blockade of the Ukrainian-Polish border by Polish farmers, somewhat reduced the positive attitude and level of trust of Ukrainian society toward its western neighbors. The level of sympathy among Poles towards Ukrainians has also undergone some changes, as a consequence of growing fatigue from the war in Ukraine, socio-political rivalry between political camps before and after the 2023 parliamentary elections in Poland, the deterioration of the socio-economic position of the country’s agricultural sector, and intensification of Russian propaganda in Poland.
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