Polish president says he has signed law on assistance for Ukrainians for the last time

Poland's President Karol Nawrocki has said that he has signed a law on aid for Ukrainian citizens for the last time and that from now on, they will be treated as other national minorities.

Source: Gazeta.pl, a Polish newspaper, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Speaking at a mass meeting in Minsk Mazowiecki, Nawrocki said that he will not sign another law on aid for Ukrainians unless a new approach is agreed upon, claiming that the current one places Polish citizens on the same footing as nationals of another state.

He explained that the initial draft would have extended the 800+ benefit to Ukrainians not employed in Poland, which he described as "unfair to Poles", and therefore refused to sign it. Nawrocki has signed a revised version that he believes partially addresses his concerns, but insisted that it is the last time he will sign off on such a measure. [The Polish "Family 800+" benefit provides a monthly payment of PLN 800 (US$220) for each child under the age of 18, regardless of the family's income – ed.]

Quote: "I've signed the second version of the bill because I don't want to be the president of chaos. But I have reminded the prime minister and the parliamentary majority that this is the last time I sign this law on assistance for Ukrainians."

More details: Nawrocki said that after three years of war, the Ukrainian minority in Poland should be treated responsibly, yet on the same terms as other national minorities.

Quote: "The law has been adopted because I don't want to contribute to the chaos. But I expect further decisions to be realistic and fair."

More details: Nawrocki said that the state must devise measures that protect both Polish prosperity and the presence of Ukrainians in the country. He warned that the lack of sensible policy could mean "chaos in March next year".

The Polish president said that he is counting on the government and the parliamentary majority, but repeated that he will not agree to a law that in his view gives Ukrainians a privileged position over Polish citizens.

Background:

• Nawrocki vetoed the previous version of the bill on aid for Ukrainians, citing what he called an unduly large volume of social benefits provided to Ukrainian refugees.
• A new bill, prepared urgently by the Polish government, was finally approved by parliament on 17 September.
• Among other provisions, the law extends the legal stay of Ukrainians who fled the war until 4 March 2026 – the validity period of the relevant decision of the Council of the EU.
• It also strengthens control over access to social benefits for foreigners, in particular the 800+ programme. Eligibility will be linked to professional activity and children's schooling in Poland, with exceptions, for example, for parents of children with disabilities.
• The law also introduces restrictions on the use of certain medical services by adult Ukrainian refugees, specifically medical and pharmaceutical programmes, rehabilitation treatment and dental care.

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