Poland’s president, Karol Nawrocki, has vetoed legislation aimed at prolonging benefits for Ukrainian refugees in the country, following his campaign promise to tighten welfare payments amid growing anti-Ukrainian sentiment among Poles. The veto affects approximately 1 million refugees who have settled in Poland since 2022.
Under the current system, child benefit payments of €162 per month are provided to all Ukrainian citizens, including those not working. However, Nawrocki has proposed that only Ukrainians in work should receive these benefits. The prime minister, Donald Tusk, and other government officials criticized the veto, arguing that it could punish innocent children.
The decision comes as anti-Ukrainian sentiment continues to rise in Poland, with some politicians fueling resentment towards the refugees. A study by Poland’s National Development Bank found that Ukrainians have contributed more in taxes than they received in benefits, and their labor has been crucial for economic stability.
Nawrocki has also stated plans to amend the Polish criminal code to equate the promotion of a Ukrainian nationalist leader with Nazism and Soviet communism, banned under Polish law. Bartosz Cichocki, former Poland’s ambassador to Ukraine, believes that current public attitudes are somewhat inevitable but expects them to calm down over time.
The government and president are now stuck in a legislative deadlock, with Nawrocki presenting his own proposals while the government can also veto presidential plans. The situation has raised concerns about Poland’s continued funding of Starlink satellite internet for Ukraine, which could be at risk if the proposed bill is not adopted by parliament by September.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/25