Dr. Muhammad Akram Zaheer
The concept of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), formally adopted by the United Nations in 2005, marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of global humanitarian norms. Grounded in the commitment to prevent genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, R2P rests on three pillars: the responsibility of states to protect their populations, the international community’s duty to assist in building this capacity and the obligation to take timely and decisive action when a state fails to safeguard its population. Poland’s response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine since 2014—and particularly following the full-scale invasion in February 2022—provides an important and often overlooked case of how a neighboring state can meaningfully engage with the R2P framework.
Poland’s multifaceted engagement—encompassing humanitarian aid, diplomatic initiatives, legal measures and military support—demonstrates that non-superpower states can act as effective agents of atrocity prevention and response. Through its actions, Poland has not only fulfilled its moral and strategic interests but has also emerged as a model of regional responsibility in operationalizing R2P principles.Although the R2P doctrine traditionally emphasizes international organizations and powerful states, Bieńczyk-Missala underscores the potential of neighboring countries to act as pivotal actors in mass atrocity contexts. Neighbors possess intimate geographical, cultural and historical knowledge of the conflict zone and often have strategic motivations for regional stability. Pillar II (capacity-building and assistance) and Pillar III (timely and decisive response) provide the normative and operational framework for such states to act proactively in crisis situations.In the case of Ukraine, Poland utilized all three types of Pillar II mechanisms: encouragement, capacity-building and protection assistance. Over the years, Poland has supported democratic development in Ukraine through various development aid initiatives, including reforms in education, local governance, anti-corruption efforts and the strengthening of independent media. These efforts have contributed to the long-term prevention of conflict by fortifying Ukraine’s democratic and legal infrastructure.
Poland’s engagement with Ukraine began well before the outbreak of large-scale conflict. Following Ukraine’s independence in 1991, Poland prioritized democratic transition and regional cooperation. After the 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia, Poland intensified its developmental assistance, often working in collaboration with other international partners like Canada under programs such as the Polish-Ukrainian Democracy Support Program.However, the nature of assistance shifted drastically after February 24, 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion. Poland quickly became a major logistical and humanitarian hub, welcoming over a million refugees and providing services through a robust legal framework that included the special law on assistance for Ukrainian citizens. These measures granted refugees access to housing, medical care, education and social services. By August 2022, over 1.2 million Ukrainians had registered in Poland, primarily women and children.Simultaneously, the Polish government, in partnership with NGOs, international organizations and local governments, created temporary shelters, container towns and emergency medical services, many of which were tailored to the needs of vulnerable populations, such as children and the elderly. The Governmental Agency for Strategic Reserves (RARS) coordinated deliveries of food, medicine and fuel, including over 11,000 tonnes of food and 70,000 cubic meters of fuel between 2022 and 2024.
Poland did not limit its efforts to humanitarian assistance. It became a strong voice in international forums demanding accountability for war crimes and violations of international law by Russian forces. Polish leaders condemned the annexation of Crimea, the sham referendums in Eastern Ukraine and the invasion itself, labeling them as blatant breaches of international norms.Poland’s active role in the United Nations Human Rights Council and the General Assembly included co-sponsoring resolutions that condemned Russian aggression and promoted investigations into human rights violations. The Polish government also supported the expulsion of Russia from the Council of Europe and initiated or participated in various investigative and accountability efforts, such as the creation of the International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine and the Joint Investigative Team at Eurojust. Notably, Poland was the first country outside Ukraine to open legal proceedings concerning war crimes committed in the conflict.The establishment of the Core International Crimes Evidence Database (CICED) and Poland’s support for a special tribunal to prosecute crimes of aggression demonstrate a comprehensive approach to legal accountability, aligning closely with the aims of R2P’s third pillar. These legal mechanisms serve not only justice but also as tools of deterrence and moral censure.
While Poland’s primary focus remained humanitarian, it also supported Ukraine militarily, in line with the principle that the use of force under R2P must be a last resort and proportionate to the threat. Poland facilitated arms deliveries, coordinated training for Ukrainian military personnel and served as a transit point for military assistance from other NATO allies. These actions reinforced Ukraine’s defensive capacity and served as a deterrent against further Russian expansionism.Moreover, Poland worked within the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) framework, invoking the Moscow Mechanism multiple times to investigate human rights abuses. Its leadership within the OSCE, particularly during its 2022 leadership, highlighted the intersection of diplomacy, legal accountability and humanitarian concern.
A unique feature of Poland’s response was the widespread involvement of civil society. Surveys revealed that approximately 77% of Polish citizens participated in supporting Ukrainian refugees, reflecting a strong societal consensus and grassroots solidarity. Polish cities partnered with their Ukrainian counterparts to deliver aid and religious and civic groups provided food, shelter and psychological support.This alignment between government policy and public sentiment enhanced the legitimacy and sustainability of Poland’s efforts. Furthermore, Poland coordinated effectively with international organizations such as the UNHCR, IOM and UNICEF, thereby amplifying the reach and impact of its assistance.
Poland also pushed for stringent economic and political sanctions against Russia. These included freezing assets, banning trade in dual-use goods and denying visas to individuals implicated in war crimes. The Polish parliament passed legislation enabling these measures and maintained a consolidated list of sanctioned entities. Polish leaders were among the first to visit the sites of mass atrocities in Bucha and Irpin, symbolizing moral leadership and international solidarity.The use of sanctions was not only a political tool but also a fulfillment of R2P’s preventive logic: to weaken the aggressor’s capacity to inflict further harm and signal the unacceptability of such conduct in the international system.
Poland’s response to the war in Ukraine represents a comprehensive and multilayered operationalization of the Responsibility to protect doctrine. Its strategic location, historical ties and democratic values positioned it to act decisively. Through development aid, humanitarian support, legal accountability mechanisms and diplomatic activism, Poland fulfilled both its regional obligations and broader international responsibilities.This case demonstrates that middle powers and neighboring states can be instrumental in atrocity prevention and response. Poland’s actions reaffirm the relevance and adaptability of R2P in contemporary conflicts, especially when implemented through a balance of moral conviction, legal reasoning and strategic foresight. As the international community continues to grapple with mass atrocities worldwide, the Polish example offers a powerful model of principled engagement under the R2P framework.
Dr. Muhammad Akram Zaheer
University of Okara
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