Polish President Karol Nawrocki has ratified a new law extending temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees, while at the same time limiting state support, his office announced on Friday.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Poland has welcomed more than 1 million Ukrainian refugees, most of whom are women and children.
Nawrocki had previously vetoed the first draft of the law submitted by the Polish government in August, demanding that certain benefits for refugees be reduced. This move sparked concern among the Ukrainian community in Poland as well as local Polish workers, who feared potential job losses.
The government later prepared a revised bill, which the president signed into law.
Warsaw remains one of Kyiv’s strongest allies and continues to serve as a crucial transit hub for Western weapons and humanitarian aid flowing into Ukraine.
According to a government statement, the amendments aim to eliminate abuses related to family payments, particularly for Ukrainians not residing permanently in Poland. The changes will also address housing issues for war refugees staying in the country.
