Poland’s president Nawrocki has vetoed legislation extending support for Ukrainian refugees, triggering a dispute with the government of Prime Minister Tusk and raising the prospect of Poland’s payments for Ukraine’s Starlink ending from 1 October.

Digital Affairs minister Gawkowski said the vetoed law underpins Starlink funding and warned the decision also jeopardises the storage of Ukrainian government data in a secure location. He characterised the move on X as a boon for Russia’s forces. Starlink, operated by SpaceX, provides broadband via satellite and is used by Ukraine’s military for drones, communications and operations.

Foreign minister Sikorski has said Poland pays about 50 million dollars a year to provide Ukraine with Starlink. A spokesperson for the president told Reuters the financing could still be secured if parliament passes a bill submitted by Nawrocki.

The vetoed measure also concerns access by Ukrainian refugees to subsidies such as child benefits and healthcare. Poland hosts nearly one million Ukrainian refugees, and Nawrocki wants only those in work to continue receiving payments.

Nawrocki, a conservative nationalist from opposition party PiS, won June’s presidential election and was sworn in earlier this month, succeeding Poland’s former president Duda. Last week he also blocked a bill to ease green energy rules. Gawkowski accused him of a political power struggle at Ukraine’s expense.

(Source: NOS)