Poland's Shifting Stance: Rising Support for Military Aid to Ukraine

Poles are increasingly in favour of not only sending troops to Ukraine but also allowing Polish citizens to participate in the battles across the eastern border. The findings of the latest survey are intriguing, with experts attributing the shift in opinion to the "Macron effect".

War in Ukraine: Get all the latest updates in our live coverage

In a recent survey conducted for RMF FM and "Dziennik Gazeta Prawna", participants were asked how Poland should assist Ukraine?

The majority of support was for providing humanitarian aid to Ukrainians, with as much as 75 percent of respondents in favour. The transfer of military supplies also received significant support—67.6 percent backed the provision of ammunition, personal firearms, and grenade launchers, while 54.1 percent supported sending heavier equipment like tanks and aircraft.

Twenty-seven percent of respondents believe that Poland should allow its citizens to fight in Ukraine, whereas 9.4 percent think that Polish troops should be deployed.

RMF FM highlighted the contrast with survey results from a year prior, which showed no public support for sending Polish troops.

Experts suggest this shift in opinion could be due to the "Macron effect", with the European public becoming more open to the idea of deploying troops to Ukraine following recent statements by the French President, who mentioned that the deployment of NATO forces across our eastern border should not be dismissed.