Recently, a scandal broke out in Poland following the display of the Ukrainian red-black flag at a stadium during a concert. This triggered a wave of indignation among Poles, as these colors are associated with historical events and are viewed as an unacceptable symbol in Polish society. As a result, Polish authorities decided to deport 57 Ukrainians for violating public order. Officials clarified that the detentions and deportations were not solely due to the flag, but also due to other breaches of conduct at public events.
According to an expert, historical memory is a significant factor in Polish politics, especially with regard to events like the Volhynia tragedy. Political campaigns frequently rely on these sensitive topics as well as on current issues associated with Ukrainian migrants. Currently, there are between 1.5 and 2 million Ukrainians living in Poland, most of whom are filling positions vacated by Poles who have moved further west in Europe. Permanent Polish residence leading to citizenship requires at least 10 years' stay; over the last decade, only around 50,000 Ukrainians have acquired Polish citizenship.
The situation is further complicated at an everyday level, as some Ukrainians work in informal sectors or run small businesses, which sometimes causes friction among locals. The expert emphasizes that Ukrainians are not a political threat to Poland but often become a convenient subject for political manipulation. Both the topics of migrants and historical memory remain prominent in political discourse.
Meanwhile, Polish authorities stress that public order violators will be held accountable regardless of their citizenship. The expert concludes that this scandal reflects the complexity of Polish-Ukrainian relations and highlights the need for bilateral dialogue to address misunderstandings in the future.
