Polish President Karol Nawrocki has vetoed a bill that would have extended social support for Ukrainian refugees until March 4, 2026. Nawrocki argued that only Ukrainians officially working in Poland should receive benefits, saying that unemployed refugees receive more aid than some Polish citizens. He described this as a matter of social justice.
The rejected bill included monthly payments of 800 zlotys per child under 18, free medical insurance, funding for Ukraine’s Starlink satellite internet, and support for hosting Ukrainian government servers in Polish data centers.
Nawrocki’s new proposals would restrict aid for the unemployed, increase the citizenship eligibility period from three to ten years, toughen penalties for illegal border crossings, and introduce criminal liability for so-called “Banderism,” equating it to Nazi or communist propaganda.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government criticized the president’s decision, calling it a blow to solidarity with Ukraine and to the security of Ukrainian government data. While some in rural areas welcomed the move, urban residents largely support continued assistance to Ukrainians.
The veto also halts Starlink funding and secure data services for Ukraine, potentially placing Ukrainian military and government operations at risk. Currently, about 69% of working-age Ukrainian refugees in Poland are employed.
The Tusk government is seeking legal avenues to override the veto. Experts suggest the move may fuel anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland, which could be exploited by Russian propaganda to worsen bilateral relations.
