Polish PM to tighten control over Ukraine talks with his own security adviser – Media

According to the outlet, Tusk intends to sideline staff members of Poland’s new President, Karol Nawrocki, from expert-level talks on ending hostilities in Ukraine.

The prime minister’s adviser will be Robert Kupiecki, currently Deputy Foreign Minister. At the Foreign Ministry, he oversees security policy and transatlantic relations.

Kupiecki is an experienced diplomat — from 2008 to 2012 he served as Poland’s ambassador to the United States, and after returning to Warsaw became Deputy Minister of National Defense.

His task will be to directly brief the Prime Minister on the international situation and on security threats to Poland and Europe. Above all, he will take part in high-level meetings of NATO officials dealing with ending or suspending the war in Ukraine, pushing forward Poland’s position at those talks.

Nawrocki’s controversial veto

In Poland, there is a social support program called 800+, which provides monthly payments to families with children, including Ukrainian refugees, to help parents and guardians raise minors.

Each family receives 800 zlotys (around 9,000 hryvnias) per child under 18.

However, on August 25, Polish President Karol Nawrocki vetoed a bill that would have granted social assistance to unemployed Ukrainians. He stressed that the 800+ program and free healthcare should be provided only to Ukrainians officially employed in Poland.

The vetoed clause has already been included in a new draft law submitted to the Sejm.

Since June 1, the category of Ukrainians eligible for social benefits under the 800+ program has already been reduced.

After Nawrocki’s veto, Poland’s Minister of Digitalization Krzysztof Gawkowski announced that, because of the decision, Poland will no longer be able to cover the cost of Starlink terminals provided to Ukraine.