On May 30, 2025, Karol Nawrocki, a nationalist and former head of the Institute of National Remembrance, laid flowers at a controversial monument in Domostawa, Poland, commemorating the Volhynian massacre, which resulted in the deaths of 40,000 to 100,000 Poles by Ukrainian nationalists from 1943 to 1945. During his presidential campaign, Nawrocki advocated for prioritizing Poles in healthcare and limited Ukrainian access to benefits while expressing skepticism about Ukraine’s NATO and EU aspirations, citing historical grievances. Public sentiment towards Ukrainians has shifted dramatically, with a significant decline in positive perceptions among Poles, paralleling rising anti-Ukrainian rhetoric and calls for addressing historical issues to improve relations.
