Poland’s government warned on Monday that its funding of the Starlink satellite internet system for Ukraine is at risk after President Karol Nawrocki vetoed legislation that would have extended aid for Ukrainians in Poland. The bill covered support beyond September 30, including financing for some 25,000 Starlink terminals that Warsaw has provided since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski said the veto meant “the end of Starlink internet, which Poland provides to Ukraine at war,” as well as the end of secure storage for Ukrainian government data.

The veto highlights growing friction between the pro-European Union administration of Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Nawrocki, a nationalist who has openly opposed Ukraine’s accession to NATO and the EU. The rejected bill was Nawrocki’s fourth veto since taking office earlier this month and would have extended support for more than one million Ukrainian refugees in Poland until March 2026. The package also included monthly child benefits of 800 zloty ($220) for Ukrainian families, which Nawrocki wants to restrict only to working parents.

Broader Social And Financial Shifts

Nawrocki defended his decision by citing Poland’s financial pressures and shifting public opinion. He also proposed extending the residency requirement for Ukrainian refugees to obtain Polish citizenship from three to ten years. “Poles in their own country should be treated equally to our guests from Ukraine,” Nawrocki told reporters. His stance reflects rising influence of far-right voices during his election campaign, where anti-Ukrainian rhetoric played a central role.

Poland has been one of Kyiv’s strongest supporters since 2022, providing shelter for refugees and critical military and technological aid, including Starlink access. The veto risks undermining that support at a time when Ukraine faces escalating Russian attacks and relies heavily on secure communications systems. Analysts warn that the move could weaken coordination between Warsaw and Kyiv, while also straining relations within the EU and NATO over sustained aid to Ukraine.