European Leaders Defend Migration Policies Amidst Rising Hostility
Source reports published 20 Oct 2026, 5:21 am – 21 Oct 2026, 8:25 am AEST
Following recent unrest in France and Italy, Hungarian and Polish leaders defended their strict migration policies, citing concerns about security and the potential for repeating mistakes made by other European nations. Growing hostility towards Ukrainian refugees is also being observed.
What happened
- Hungary’s Prime Minister Péter Magyar stated on X that ‘Europe can count on Hungary’ in the face of ‘senseless destruction and unjustified violence,’ echoing a sentiment shared by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who defended Poland’s border policy and warned against repeating the mistakes of other European countries.
- Daniel Schatz, a political scientist at Fox News Digital, noted that burning buildings and looted shops are being used politically across Europe.
- In Poland, public opinion has shifted, with over half the population opposing sanctuary for Ukrainian refugees, fueled by historical grievances and extremist rhetoric.
- According to a recent public opinion survey, 52 percent of Poles oppose giving sanctuary to those fleeing the war.
- Instances of hate crimes against Ukrainian refugees are increasing, prompting calls for support from organizations like Stand With Ukraine.
- Moscow is suspected of exacerbating tensions through disinformation campaigns, particularly regarding historical disputes.
- Historian Jan Darasz highlighted the Volhynia massacre as a key point of contention, while Filip Bryjka, a defense analyst, identified Russia’s long-term disinformation campaigns as a factor in bilateral relations.
- Over 100,000 Ukrainian refugees have left Poland in the past six months, reflecting a growing sense of insecurity and hostility.
Original reporting
- Fox News: Hungary and Poland defend tough migration policies as France reels from violent unrest
2026-10-19T19:21:01+00:00 - PBS NewsHour: Ukrainian refugees face growing hostility in Poland
2026-10-20T22:25:03+00:00