Neighbouring Crisis: Forced Displacement from Ukraine and Poland’s Response Strategies (2022–2025)

This article examines the impact of the wave of mass forced displacement triggered by Russia’s attack on Ukraine on 24 February 2022 and analyzes Poland’s political and institutional responses to this crisis. The study provides a comprehensive evaluation of Poland’s transition from an initial phase of extraordinary humanitarian solidarity to a security- and interest-driven migration governance model by 2025. Through documentary analysis, the article assesses legal regulations, the practices of state institutions, media discourse, and public attitudes. The findings reveal that although Poland rapidly positioned itself as Europe’s “humanitarian leader” in the early months of the war, the prolonged nature of the conflict, rising economic pressures, and intensifying domestic political debates gradually eroded this position. The 2022 temporary protection law—initially celebrated as a humanitarian response—has increasingly evolved into a selective and conditional form of solidarity, shaped by public pressure and populist rhetoric. The study also highlights how media representations and the role of religious institutions influenced societal perceptions of Ukrainian Forced Migrants (UFMs). Ultimately, the Polish case demonstrates that the tension between humanitarian responsibility and national interest has significantly constrained Poland’s ability to sustain its claim to moral leadership. The analysis suggests that humanitarian solidarity remains a temporary reflex unless supported by long-term, sustainable migration management mechanisms.