Poland stops funding Starlink for Ukraine after president veto
Polish President Karol Nawrocki (photo: Getty Images)
Poland will not be able to pay for Starlink for Ukraine due to President Karol Nawrocki's veto of the law on extending aid for Ukrainian refugees, Minister of Digitalization Krzysztof Gawkowski said.
"Presidential vetoes cut blindly! Karol Nawrocki with his decision disconnects the internet for Ukraine, because de facto his decision regarding the law on aid to Ukrainian citizens means exactly this. This is the end of the Starlink internet that Poland provides to Ukraine, which is at war," wrote the minister.
He called this a "gift" for Russian President Vladimir Putin, since disconnecting Ukraine from critically important services directly plays into the aggressor’'s hands.
"Mr. President, you must stop blindly striking the government in the name of political struggle. You are harming people who are fighting for their independence, and at the same time helping Russia. Some will say: 'Disgrace!', others: 'Betrayal of a neighbor!'" Gawkowski emphasized.
Polish president vetoed social assistance for Ukrainians
Today, August 25, Polish President Karol Nawrocki vetoed the bill adopted by the Sejm, which provided social support for citizens of Ukraine. He explained that the 800 Plus program and free medical services should be granted only to those Ukrainians who are officially employed in Poland.
The Polish president emphasized that Poles must remain at the center of state policy.
He proposed his own version of a special law. He called on the government and parliamentary forces to prepare a coordinated document within two weeks.
According to Nawrocki, the new draft should include stricter requirements for obtaining Polish citizenship. If currently it can be acquired after three years of residence, the president proposes to increase this period to ten years.
The president also proposed introducing criminal liability for manifestations of Banderism, by analogy with the already existing liability for promoting fascism.
Now the ball is in the Sejm's court – the government and parliamentary parties have two weeks to agree on the changes. If no compromise is found, Ukrainians risk losing part of their access to social guarantees in Poland.
