THE IMPACT OF MIGRATION PROCESSES CAUSED BY THE WAR ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE POLISH AND UKRAINIAN ECONOMIES

Abstract

The outbreak of war in Ukraine has dramatically changed the migration situation in many countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Among them, the most important role is played by Poland, where the largest number of Ukrainians who fled the war zone after 24 February 2022 arrived. Citizens of Ukraine are leading in terms of statistics on entry, settlement, visas, people working and studying in Poland, and people applying for Polish citizenship. The social and economic ties that have been built over the years through economic migration, as well as the cultural and geographical proximity of our countries, make Poland a place where those fleeing war can count on safe haven, help and support. It is difficult to predict the future of Ukrainian refugees from russian aggression in Poland, as well as in Ukraine, when they return after the victory and to establish their role in the reconstruction of the country. Their number, as people returning to Ukraine, depends mainly on the events of the war, the EU's policy on Ukraine's accession to the Union, and living and working conditions during the reconstruction of the Ukrainian state. A significant proportion of refugees from Ukraine state that they may stay in Poland, which means that they will actively support the Polish labour market in the long term and ensure the development of the Polish national economy. All of this requires immediate, balanced action on the fate of refugees by state institutions in both Ukraine and Poland. Keywords: migration, economy, war, refugees, migration crisis, labour migration.