Poland will continue to support Starlink for Ukraine despite presidential veto

Tension in the Polish government has flared up over President Karol Nawrocki's veto of a law on aid to Ukrainian refugees. Polish Minister of Digitalisation Krzysztof Gawkowski said that the veto could lead to the shutdown of Starlink terminals in Ukraine, which provide the country with internet with Polish funding. However, the head of the Polish Presidential Office , Zbigniew Bogutski, categorically denied these claims.

The veto does not disconnect Ukraine from the Starlink Internet, as the costs of this connection are financed on the basis of the provisions of the current legislation, and the draft submitted to the Sejm by the president supports this status quo," Bogutski wrote on the X network.

He emphasised that parliament will promptly consider the president's initiative in September, before the funding deadline. According to Polish law, Starlink support for Ukraine is guaranteed until 30 September 2025. Bogutski also refuted Gawkowski's words about allegedly ending support for the Ukrainian administration's data storage in secure locations, calling it a manipulation.

The conflict erupted after Gawkowski accused Navrotsky of saying that his veto was a "gift for Putin." In response, Bogutski said he could imagine no better gift for Putin than to engage in Russian disinformation to sow discord between Poles and Ukrainians.

Nawrocki's veto has sparked controversy because the Polish president believes Ukrainian refugees receive too many privileges. However, Poland remains a key partner of Ukraine, providing not only humanitarian aid but also technological support.