Poland’s President Blocks Law to Extend Starlink Support for Ukraine

Poland’s president vetoed an amendment that would have extended the law on assistance to Ukrainians from September 30, 2025, to March 4, 2026. The measure would have allowed Poland to continue paying for Starlink services for Ukraine and legalized the stay of Ukrainian refugees.

The decision was reported by the WNP news outlet.

President Karol Nawrocki said Monday he had not signed the amendment to the law on assistance to citizens of Ukraine. He argued that cash assistance for families with children should only be available to Ukrainians who are employed.

Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski said the veto means Starlink satellite internet terminals donated by Poland will be switched off in Ukraine.

“Support for Ukraine in providing communications, which expires at the end of September, was supposed to be extended. We wanted to continue financing satellite internet for Ukraine. Unfortunately, the president’s disastrous decision significantly complicates this. And we will have to inform our partners that such support will now cease at the end of September,” Gawkowski said.

He added that the government “will of course look for other solutions” to support Ukraine but stressed that time is short. “We have started consultations within the government, but it is difficult to say at this time what it will look like.”

According to the Ministry of Digital Affairs, the task “Ensuring communications in the territory of Ukraine for citizens of this country,” which covers the provision of Starlink terminals and subscription fees, is based on the March 12, 2022 law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens in connection with the war.

The ministry said the veto removes the legal basis and funding for continuing the program after September 30, 2025.

The amendment also extended temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens until March 4, 2026. Without a new measure by September 30, 2025, all Ukrainians in Poland under the temporary protection program will technically become illegal residents.

The Chancellery of the Polish President stated that along with the veto, Nawrocki will submit an alternative bill.

“In accordance with the instructions of the president, we are ready to work every day. And, as we know, we have little time — only until the end of September,” said the head of the Chancellery.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation told Suspilne TV that consultations are underway with the Polish side regarding the Starlink subscription payments.

From 2022 to 2024, Poland spent nearly 323 million zlotys (about $87 million) on Starlink for Ukraine, providing 24,500 terminals. Another 5,100 were supplied by Polish private companies.