Russia’s aggression against Ukraine of 24th February 2022 and the ensuing full-scale war has had significant impact on many levels, starting from the international order, through the regional economy, to individual lives of people in and outside of Ukraine. It holds a particular importance in the region of Central and Eastern Europe, especially in the so-called “frontline states” – Poland, the Baltic states, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania which share not only the bordering with the countries in the state of war, but also a particular geopolitical position (on the Eastern flank of NATO and the European Union), as well as a difficult history of the relations with Russia.
KBN Analysis No. 2 (117) / 2023
13 February 2023
Russia’s aggression against Ukraine of 24th February 2022 and the ensuing full-scale war has had significant impact on many levels, starting from the international order, through the regional economy, to individual lives of people in and outside of Ukraine. It holds a particular importance in the region of Central and Eastern Europe, especially in the so-called “frontline states” – Poland, the Baltic states, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania which share not only the bordering with the countries in the state of war, but also a particular geopolitical position (on the Eastern flank of NATO and the European Union), as well as a difficult history of the relations with Russia. These frontline states have long warned their Western allies against Russia’s aggressive stance and in the course of the last year (with the notable exception of Hungary) have become one of the most ardent supporters of Ukraine and advocates of increased pressures on Russia. This analysis aims at presenting an overview of the reactions of Poland, as a frontline state, on the Russian invasion on Ukraine.
The publication has been supported by a grant from the Faculty of International and Political Studies under the Strategic Programme Excellence Initiative at Jagiellonian University, as part of the grant entitled “Perception and Rhetoric in “Frontline States”. An early assessment of the consequences of Russia's war in Ukraine” (WSMiP.6.3.2022.3(1). It is also part of a policy paper under the same title, edited by A. Mazurkiewicz and W. Michnika (forthcoming).
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