Most Poles support the decision of president Karol Nawrocki to take Volodymyr Zelensk of the Order of the White Eagle and at the same time want Poland and Ukraine to cooperate against the threat from Russia. That's what the CBOS poll says. The image of moods is more complex than the utmost voices in the debate suggest.
Support for President's decision
According to a CBOS study, 59 percent of respondents consider the right decision of president Karol Nawrocki to take Volodymyr Zelensk Order of the White Eagle. It's a clear result. Taking the highest Polish discrimination is always a strong and symbolic gesture, and yet most of the respondents are on the side of the head of the state.
The decision was part of a dispute over historical policy. In this dispute, the issue of Volyn and the settlement of crimes in Poles returns as a condition of actual reconciliation.
Cooperation despite the dispute
The same poll shows the another side of the mood. 75 percent of respondents believe that Poland and Ukraine should primarily cooperate against the threat from Russia. Support for a hard motion towards the president of Ukraine goes hand in hand with the belief that an alliance with a neighbour makes sense.
For any commentators, it's a contradiction. In fact, it is alternatively evidence that the public can separate 2 matters: the memory of the past and the realism of the common threat.
Two levels of the same opinion
Poles in this survey say 2 things at a time. They want relations with Ukraine to be based on historical truth, including the hard one. At the same time, they do not want the dispute over symbols to turn into a break in cooperation in the face of Russia, which remains a real threat to both countries.
This attitude is more permanent than the emotions of 1 week. It shows that society expects politicians, not just gestures.
Hard Memory and Cool Realism
The CBOS poll reflects a temper that cannot be closed in 1 password. Tough historical policy does not necessarily mean hostility towards Ukrainians as people. Realism towards Russia is simply a cold calculation of security, not sentiment.
The attitude of most Poles can be summarised simply. Cooperate where safety requires it, and do not let go where the fact about Polish victims is involved.
Source: Bankier.pl
