The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Ukraine held a formal reception at the St. Sophia of Kyiv National Reserve to mark the anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution on May 3—one of the key documents in the history of Polish statehood and European constitutionalism.
Speaking at the reception, the Polish Ambassador to Ukraine Piotr Łukasiewicz emphasized that the May 3 Constitution was “an act of courage and foresight” and an attempt to create a state “in which laws define the limits of power, not the other way around; where the common good prevails over private ambitions.”
According to him, these ideals resonate particularly strongly today in Ukraine, which is fighting for its sovereignty, freedom, and place in the European community of nations.
“Since the beginning of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Poland has supported its independence and its right to choose its own path. We see before us not only a neighbor but also a European partner with whom we are united by shared civilizational values: human dignity, respect for human rights, and faith in a future based on law, not force,” the ambassador noted.
He emphasized that Poland supports Ukraine’s aspiration to join the European Union, calling this goal realistic but one that requires consistent work.
“Membership in the European Union is not just a flag and equal status in relations with EU institutions. Above all, it is a system of values and institutions that protect citizens from the arbitrariness of power,” the diplomat said.
The ambassador emphasized that institutional independence, transparency, accountability, effective public administration, and the equal application of laws to all citizens regardless of position or influence remain crucial for European integration.
He also highlighted the importance of judicial reform, the fight against corruption, transparency in public finances, and the protection of journalists and civil society.
“I want to emphasize one key principle: the rule of law is stronger than any political power. The law curbs abuse and ensures predictability, and predictability is a prerequisite for security and economic development,” the ambassador stated.
He noted that Ukraine is currently undergoing an extraordinary test, simultaneously defending its territory and building institutions. Poland, he said, supports these efforts not only politically but also through the exchange of experience, training, and technical and institutional assistance.
“Poland, having gone through its own transformation, shares its experience and supports Ukraine on its path to EU membership,” the diplomat emphasized.
The ambassador also noted the development of economic cooperation between the countries even amid a full-scale war. According to him, Poland and Ukraine are working to create a “Polish model” of defense cooperation, through which the armed forces of both countries will receive modern, battle-tested, and jointly produced equipment.
He also mentioned the work of Polish companies in Ukraine. In particular, the gas and fuel supplied by Orlen, according to the ambassador, not only meet the transportation needs of Ukrainian citizens but also support Ukraine’s defense. PZU is implementing the largest foreign investment project in its history on the Ukrainian insurance market, while Kredobank is expanding its presence in Ukraine and is set to become one of the sources of funding for the reconstruction of cities.
“I am grateful to these companies for their activities in Ukraine, for their worthy representation of the Polish economic miracle, and for their generous support of today’s reception,” said the ambassador.
The diplomat emphasized that joining the international community does not mean a loss of sovereignty, but rather is a way to strengthen it. According to him, the implementation of standards of the rule of law, transparency, and accountability strengthens the state, increases investor confidence, protects the rights of minorities, and enriches public life.
“Standing here today, I think of the courage of the men and women defending Ukraine on the front lines, but also of the courage of the reformers, members of the Verkhovna Rada, judges, journalists, and citizens who participate daily in building the rule of law and institutions. Poland recognizes and highly values these efforts,” the ambassador stated.
He emphasized that Ukraine’s victory—both “military and institutional”—is a victory for all of Europe.
“Freedom and the rule of law cannot be taken for granted—they require care, renewal, and protection. That is why we stand with Ukraine—as a partner, ally, and friend—in its pursuit of security, prosperity, and full membership in the family of European nations,” the diplomat concluded.
The Constitution of May 3 was adopted in 1791 by the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and is considered the first modern constitution in Europe and one of the first in the world.
Poland became the first country in the world to recognize Ukraine’s independence following the all-Ukrainian referendum on December 1, 1991: Warsaw did so on December 2, 1991.
The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Kyiv was opened in 1992, and the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Poland in Warsaw resumed operations in June 1992 following the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two independent states.
CONSTITUTION DAY, EMBASSY, POLAND, reception, St. Sophia Cathedral
In January–April of this year, Ukraine reduced its imports of coke and semi-coke by 2.1% in volume terms compared to the same period last year, down to 251,317 thousand tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS), 59,900 tons of coke were imported in April, 68,313 tons in March, and 54,408 tons in February.
Coke imports in monetary terms in January–April 2026 increased by 5.7% to $87.651 million. Coke was imported from Poland—accounting for 97.95% of shipments in monetary terms—the Czech Republic (1.63%), and Colombia (0.37%).
The country did not export any coke during the first four months of the year.
As reported, in 2025, Ukraine increased its imports of coke and semi-coke by 5.9% in volume terms compared to the previous year—to 700,650 thousand tons—and increased revenue by 1.4%—to $238.656 million. Coke was imported mainly from Poland (93.37% of shipments in monetary terms), Indonesia (4.01%), and the Czech Republic (2.59%).
In 2025, Ukraine exported 3 tons of coke worth $2,000 to Albania.
Additionally, it was reported that in January 2025, Metinvest suspended operations at the Pokrovsk Coal Group due to changes in the situation on the front lines, electricity shortages, and a deteriorating security situation.
The value of Ukraine’s exports of insulated wires and cables, including fiber-optic cables, increased by 6% in January–April 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, reaching $488.8 million.
According to statistics from the State Customs Service, Germany remained the largest importer of Ukrainian products, just as it was last year, with shipments to that country rising by 5% to $168.4 million. Its share of total exports of these products decreased slightly to 34.5%.
As in January–April 2025, the top three importers also included Hungary—$80.4 million, or 16.5%—and Poland—$80 million, or 16.4%.
In April, exports of these products rose by 3.6% compared to April 2025, reaching $125.6 million.
As reported, according to the State Customs Service, in 2025 Ukraine increased exports of insulated wires and cables by 10.6% compared to 2024—to $1.41 billion.
Poland is preparing a reform of its citizenship procedure that is expected to make it more difficult for foreigners to obtain a Polish passport, according to a proposal from the Polish Ministry of the Interior and Administration.
According to the Ministry’s plan, the minimum period of legal residence in Poland for citizenship applicants is to be increased to 8 years. This model involves 3 years of temporary residence followed by 5 years of permanent residence. Currently, the path to citizenship is shorter for certain categories of foreigners.
The reform also provides for stricter integration requirements. Foreigners will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the Polish language at a level no lower than B2, pass a state exam on the history, constitutional values, and principles of the Polish state, and sign a declaration of loyalty to the Republic of Poland. According to Polish media reports, the exam may include approximately 40 questions.
The Polish Ministry of the Interior explains the reform as a necessity to enhance the prestige of Polish citizenship and introduce clear criteria to confirm applicants’ integration into Polish society.
The tightening of rules comes amid a record increase in the number of naturalizations. In 2025, more than 19,000 foreigners received Polish citizenship. The largest group was Ukrainian citizens—more than 10,000 people—followed by citizens of Belarus—6,500—and Russia—759 people, Polish media reported, citing data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration (MSWiA).
In 2024, 16,300 foreigners received Polish citizenship, about half of whom were Ukrainians. By comparison, in 2023, approximately 10,000 people received Polish citizenship, and in 2019, 6,600.
A significant portion of Ukrainians obtain Polish citizenship through mechanisms related to the Polish Card and subsequent permanent residence. This distinguishes them from some other migrant groups, for whom the path to citizenship is more often based on employment, long-term residence, or family ties.
Poland remains one of the main destinations for Ukrainians since the start of the full-scale war, as well as one of the largest labor markets for Ukrainian citizens. The tightening of citizenship rules means that the transition from temporary or permanent residency to a Polish passport may become a longer and more formalized process.
By 2100, the population will decline in 18 European Union countries, with the sharpest declines expected in Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, according to Eurostat data.
Under Eurostat’s baseline scenario, Latvia’s population will decrease by 33.9%, Lithuania’s by 33.4%, and Poland’s by 31.6% by the end of the century compared to 2025. A significant decline is also expected in Germany, Slovenia, Finland, and the Czech Republic, where the decline will be around 10%.
At the same time, population growth is projected only in nine EU countries by 2100. The population will increase by more than 25% only in Luxembourg and Malta—by 36.4% and 26%, respectively. Growth of 10–20% is expected in Sweden and Ireland.
Despite the overall population decline, Germany, according to Eurostat estimates, will remain the most populous EU country in 2100 with 74.7 million inhabitants. It will be followed by France with 67.2 million and Spain with 49.8 million people.
The statistical office notes that differences between countries will be significant both in terms of when peak population is reached and the scale of subsequent decline or growth.
The results of a public opinion poll conducted in March 2026 by the research company Active Group in collaboration with the Experts Club information and analysis centre show that Ukrainians’ attitude towards Poland remains consistently positive, yet is becoming more nuanced. Overall, 56.4% of respondents view Poland positively, whilst 14.7% view it negatively. Compared to August 2025, the proportion of positive views has remained almost unchanged (56.7%), whilst negative views have risen from 12.7% to 14.7%.
The breakdown of responses indicates a predominance of moderate views. The proportion of ‘entirely positive’ attitudes stands at 19.3%, whilst ‘mostly positive’ attitudes account for 37.1%. At the same time, the proportion of neutral views remains significant at 27.5%. This means that for a significant proportion of respondents, Poland does not evoke clearly defined emotional reactions, but is perceived rather through a pragmatic lens.
Negative attitudes are also predominantly moderate in nature: 12.4% of respondents chose the ‘mostly negative’ option, and only 2.3% chose ‘completely negative’. The proportion of those who were undecided is minimal (1.4%), indicating that Ukrainians’ perceptions of the country are sufficiently well-formed.
The dynamics of change between 2025 and 2026 indicate a certain increase in criticality in the perception of Poland. Whilst the overall positive balance is maintained, the proportion of unequivocally positive assessments is gradually decreasing, whilst the proportion of negative ones is increasing. This trend may indicate a shift from an emotionally positive to a more measured and rational perception.
It is important to note that, at the same time, Poland remains a country with a predominantly positive image in Ukrainian society. The ratio of positive to negative assessments, which is more than three times in favour of the positive, indicates that a high level of trust and a generally favourable attitude are maintained. At the same time, the growth in the negative component signals the emergence of new factors influencing public opinion.
The high proportion of neutral responses deserves special attention. This may indicate that, for some respondents, Poland is not an emotionally polarising factor, but is perceived as an important, though not unquestionable, partner. In such a situation, even minor changes in the information landscape or practical interactions could influence the balance of assessments in the future.
“Ukrainians do not view the world in black and white and assess other countries quite objectively. Where there is more information and experience of interaction, a more balanced attitude is formed. At the same time, even minor changes in the political or information environment can influence the dynamics of assessments,” noted Oleksandr Pozniy, director of the research company Active Group.
Overall, the survey results indicate that attitudes towards Poland in Ukraine remain consistently positive, but are gradually becoming more complex and multi-dimensional. This reflects a general trend towards the rationalisation of public opinion, where countries are assessed not only on the basis of emotions, but also taking into account specific experiences of interaction and the current context.
According to a study conducted by the Experts Club information and analytical centre based on data from the State Customs Service, Poland ranks second in terms of total trade in goods with Ukraine, with a figure of over $13 billion, second only to China. At the same time, Poland remains one of Ukraine’s key trading partners within the EU, although the trade balance is also negative for Ukraine.
The study was presented at the Interfax-Ukraine press centre; the video can be viewed on the agency’s YouTube channel. The full version of the study can be found via this link on the Experts Club analytical centre’s website.
ACTIVE GROUP, EXPERTS CLUB, POLAND, Pozniy, SOCIOLOGY, SURVEYS, UKRAINE, URAKIN
