Poland’s president vetoes a bill providing aid to Ukraine, halting the continuation of Starlink funding for the Ukrainian military.
President’s Veto Strikes Ukraine
Poland’s president has rejected the Ukrainian aid bill that included provisions for further Starlink funding by Poland for the Ukrainian army. “I do not agree with this bill in its current form,” the president stated. Karol Nawrocki emphasized that he proposed his own bill draft, urging all political factions in the Polish parliament to work diligently on revising the law within the next two weeks.
Kyiv Reacts to Nawrocki’s Veto
Ukrainian media reported that the funding for Starlink systems provided by Poland to the Ukrainian military may be terminated. A Ukrainian portal, Suspilne, noted that consultations are ongoing with Polish authorities regarding the cost of Starlink services. Ukrainian military expert Oleksandr Musiyenko emphasized the systems’ critical role in frontline operations, stating that Ukraine would need to find alternative funding sources if Poland discontinues support. He added that Ukraine could potentially compensate through assistance from other partners, though formal Polish government announcements have yet to be made. Since the war began, Poland has supplied Ukraine with approximately 25,000 portable satellite internet kits and pays around $50 million annually for their maintenance.
Comments on the President’s Decision
Minister of Digitalization Krzysztof Gawkowski stated that the veto halts support for securely storing Ukrainian administrative data. He described the decision as favorable to Russia, remarking, “Nothing would be a better gift for Putin’s forces than cutting Ukraine off from the internet, which the president has just decided.” Meanwhile, President’s Office chief Zbigniew Bogucki clarified that the executive bill maintains Starlink internet funding and data protection, contingent on the parliament’s approval of the revised law by September.
Source: Gazeta, https://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/praca#anchorLink, https://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wojna-w-ukrainie#anchorLink
