Anti-Ukrainian pogroms have already been set in motion by assaults in Poland, warns research center chief

Poland on the edge: what the attacks on Ukrainians signal, according to Vitaliy Kulyk

According to Radiotrek — Світ: In an interview released on the Radio Trek website on August 10, 2026, Vitaliy Kulyk - director of the Center for Research on Civil Society Problems - sounded the alarm over a rise in attacks against Ukrainian citizens in Poland. He sees the violence as part of a broader surge of anti-Ukrainian rhetoric in Polish political life. The interview captures a moment of heightened public tension between Kyiv and Warsaw, with bilateral relations now one of the three leading topics of public debate in Poland.

Kulyk pointed to a striking asymmetry: in Poland, the Ukrainian question has moved into the political mainstream and ranks consistently among the top three subjects in public discussion, while in Ukraine the bilateral relationship does not even make the top ten most important issues. In his view - explicitly an expert evaluation rather than a legal judgment - the current situation in Poland represents the opening phase of anti-Ukrainian pogroms.

The analyst also warned that the deepening rift between Kyiv and Warsaw serves Russian interests, suggesting that outside forces may have a stake in keeping the conflict inflamed.

“The situation in Poland is the start of anti-Ukrainian pogroms.” Vitaliy Kulyk

Recalling the difficult historical disputes that former presidents Leonid Kuchma and Aleksander Kwaśniewski worked through together, Kulyk argued that only sustained dialogue can ease the current strain. He called on both countries to step up engagement, warning that fiery political discourse could spill over into street-level violence and demanding urgent action from both governments to prevent further escalation.

Social and political pressures

The continuing attacks on Ukrainians in Poland point to serious social and political challenges facing both nations. With tensions running high, the only reliable path forward lies in dialogue and constructive cooperation between the two governments. A shared understanding of the historical context and joint efforts to resolve disputed issues may prove essential for restoring friendly relations between Ukraine and Poland.

The rising tensions highlighted by Kulyk are not isolated incidents but part of a broader historical context that necessitates dialogue between Ukraine and Poland. As both nations grapple with their past, recent responses from political leaders indicate a potential path towards reconciliation, which could mitigate the current volatility and foster a more stable relationship moving forward.