Sustaining Democracy in Times of War: Poland's Role in EU Democracy Promotion in Ukraine

Poland has established itself as a steadfast democracy promoter within the EU. Having transitioned from a recipient of democracy assistance, Poland strategically directs its efforts as a donor, with a notable focus on its eastern neighbors, especially Ukraine (Petrova 2014; Pospieszna 2014). Rooted in historical security concerns, the Polish government perceives democracy promotion as integral to security, aligning with economic prosperity and EU membership (Petrova and Pospieszna 2021). Poland consistently leads in democracy assistance, emphasizing civil society, parliamentary practices, and human rights, largely due to the active role of Polish NGOs. Poland's commitment to democracy promotion raises normative and theoretical questions. Despite criticisms of its democratic practices, Poland sustains robust support, allocating significant aid to Ukraine, especially post-Russia's 2014 invasion, intensifying after the full-scale invasion. The focus has shifted to intermediate needs and humanitarian aid, with renewed efforts to promote democracy amid the ongoing conflict, recognizing its importance for sustaining resilience during war and supporting Ukraine's EU integration aspirations. Polish leaders' foresight positions the country to lead multilateral efforts, garnering support from the EU and the United States. The study, based on interviews with Polish NGOs active in democracy promotion, seeks to comprehend their strategies and contributions during the conflict, offering insights for scholars and practitioners navigating sustained democracy promotion in times of war. The research has also significant implications for making democracy sustainable (IDEA 2022; Onuch 2022) and contributes to Ukraine's integration with the European Union, aiding the EU in enhancing its efforts to support Ukraine (Youngs 2022).