In any country, there will always be a risk that a Ukrainian might be treated as an outsider, as a migrant, as someone who can be humiliated or persecuted. There’s nothing new in this. Many nations face similar challenges when living outside their own country.
At one time, one of the fundamental ideas behind the creation of the State of Israel was precisely that Jews should have their own country capable of protecting them.
But Israel did not stop at combating anti-Semitism in the world. It created conditions for aliyah — the return of Jews to their country. For those returning, there are mechanisms for adaptation, language learning, social support, employment, and integration into society.
What should we, Ukrainians, do?
How to protect millions of Ukrainian war refugees? How to support the Ukrainian diaspora? How not to forget Ukrainians who have lived for generations outside the modern borders of Ukraine, on lands where they, their parents, and grandparents were born?
That is why, at one time, I submitted a bill on demographic policy, proposing mechanisms for such state policy. But the bill has still not been adopted.
It’s much easier to create anti-Polish hype in Ukrainian society.
For example, here are two publications in Telegram channels that essentially interpret the same event. In one — “Poles brutally beat Ukrainians,” comments already mention broken arms. In another version — a drunk Pole, mistaking two Poles for Ukrainians, started a fight with them.
Admit it, these are completely different stories.
But the mere possibility of such a conflict undoubtedly indicates that the problem of animosity towards Ukrainians exists, and it should not be ignored.
Does this mean that the entire Polish society has become anti-Ukrainian? No.
Poles continue to support Ukraine and Ukrainians. Polish businesses are interested in Ukrainian labor. Polish local governments — such as in Sopot — adopt statements against Ukrainophobia and in defense of Ukrainians. The Polish state and police must investigate every crime committed against Ukrainians, and we must demand this from them.
But this is not enough.
The main question is — what should we do ourselves?
We must build a strong Ukrainian state that will show the long-standing Ukrainian diaspora and current war refugees: this state exists, among other things, to protect you.
If a Ukrainian cannot be protected where they are today, they should know: Ukraine is waiting for them.
Returning, they will have the opportunity to find housing and work, social support, and if needed, Ukrainian language courses and help in adapting to Ukrainian society.
The Ukrainian state must care for Ukrainians worldwide. Unfortunately, today we lack a systematic state policy of such scale.
The greatest guarantor that such a Ukraine will have a future remains the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Because today they protect both our state and Ukrainians.
And what should our policy towards other states be? Pragmatic.
We must proceed from Ukrainian national interests.
Is it advantageous for Ukraine today to quarrel with Poland?
Do we not have enough of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the constant threat to our Black Sea ports?
Do we want to jeopardize the western routes through which weapons, goods, and humanitarian aid are delivered, and along which millions of our citizens travel?
Do we want to gain another adversary within the European Union and NATO instead of a state that supports Ukraine?
Of course not.
Ukraine is interested in a Poland-friend. A Poland-partner. In the best possible Ukrainian-Polish relations.
This does not mean that we should remain silent about crimes against Ukrainians. On the contrary, every Ukrainian needs protection, and the Polish state should be required to conduct honest investigations of every case of violence or discrimination.
We must support those Poles, politicians, public figures, and local authorities who oppose Ukrainophobia. And do everything possible to ensure that political forces and sentiments built on hatred towards Ukrainians do not prevail in Poland, as fueling discord between Poles and Ukrainians objectively benefits Russia.
But precisely because of this, we must not respond to Ukrainophobia with Polonophobia.
Our response to anti-Ukrainian hysteria cannot be anti-Polish hysteria.
Our response must be a strong Ukrainian state that protects its people worldwide, creates conditions for their return home, and at the same time pragmatically builds alliances with those states on which our security depends.
And among such states, Poland is one of the most important.
Ukraine needs a strong Poland-friend. Poland needs a strong Ukraine-friend.
And Russia needs our mutual hatred the most. Let’s not give it such a gift.
Photo: Svoi City
