The Rating Group survey shows that 51% of Ukrainian refugees residing in Poland want to return to their homeland. fast return declares 8% and 43 percent only after the war; 26 percent do not intend to return, while 23 percent stay undecided. For Poland this means preparing clear rules of residence, work and support.
Most declare return, but mostly after the war
Results of the Rating Group are clear on the basic issue: 51% of Ukrainian refugees surveyed in Poland declare their intention to return to their homeland. However, this does not mean a fast and mass departure. In the close future, 8% of respondents want to return, while 43% gotta do with ending the war.
The return is not planned for 26 percent of respondents, and 23 percent cannot give a clear answer today. It's an crucial distinction. The declaration made during the ongoing war is not a removal calendar, but a evidence of current intentions. Poland cannot so build public policy on the presumption that after the fight, the problem will be solved itself.
Safety is simply a prerequisite
As many as 71% of the survey participants indicated safety and stableness in Ukraine as the main prerequisite for return. It is hard to anticipate families to return to places threatened by further attacks or deprived of basic infrastructure. Russian war continues to push people from east Ukraine, therefore, return decisions will depend on real peace alternatively than the political declaration itself to end the conflict.
The survey was conducted online from 21 to 25 August among 1,000 people who left Ukraine due to the war with Russia. The consequence describes the intentions of this group at a peculiar moment. It does not find how many people will actually leave, but gives a clear signal to the Polish State: any refugees will return, any will remain, and a large group will decide only after learning the conditions of peace.
Polish aid cannot replace state policy
Poles accepted people fleeing Russian aggression at the minute of real trial. It was a feeling of solidarity and work for the safety of the region. Scale assistance to Ukraine and its citizens However, it obliges the authorities to settle costs reasonably and to submit a plan after the war. The good will of citizens is not a resource indefinitely.
You request clear rules. Those who decide to stay in Poland should operate within the average legal order: work, pay taxes, obey Polish law and learn the language. Emergency aid makes sense in emergency situations. It must not replace a liable migration policy without a time limit, which protects social cohesion and equality of responsibilities towards the state.
Equal rules service both Poles and foreigners who bind their future to Poland. They reduce social tensions, take fuel from rumours and let to reasonably measure the contribution of fresh residents to the economy. The state should know how many people it intends to stay, where they work and what public services they need. Without specified data, local governments, schools and clinics act reactively, and the cost of not preparing yet is borne by citizens.
Voluntary return besides serves reconstruction of Ukraine
Ukraine will request people after the war to rebuild cities, economies and institutions. The voluntary, safe return of those who want to return is so besides in the interest of the Ukrainian State. Poland should support solutions facilitating specified return, while powerfully opposing the attempts of Brussels to impose a permanent settlement policy without the consent of national states.
The survey shows something else: time to prepare rules must not be wasted. Legal order, social safety and honesty towards Polish families who bear the burden of the decision of the state are at stake. The aid of a neighbour assaulted by Russia was right. It is now equally right to set borders and submit further actions to the national interest of Poland.
Source: RMF24/PAP
Source: RMF24
