Priorities of Poland’s policy towards Ukraine

The article explores the main factors that determine Polish policy towards Ukraine in the long term and also during special military operation. Based on the analysis of Polish sources, the research points out that the Ukrainian direction has never been a priority for Poland, because its main aim is integration into Euro-Atlantic structures. Ukraine is important primarily from the point of view of ensuring the security of the Polish state because its independence and territorial integrity are perceived as a barrier to Russia's “imperial ambitions”. The more noticeable impact on Ukraine Moscow exerts, the more resistance it meets from Warsaw. After February 2022 Polish diplomatic efforts were aimed at uniting Western countries to support Ukraine, providing it with military-technical, financial and humanitarian assistance. At the same time Warsaw strives to stay within the framework of the common course of the EU and NATO towards Ukraine and does not try to play an independent role, as it understands the limitations of its resources. Poland intends to use the events in Ukraine to increase its own geopolitical role but only within the Euro-Atlantic coalition.

Poland, ukraine, Polish foreign policy, Polish-Ukrainian relations, special military operation