• Polish President Karol Nawrocki vetoes a bill critical for Ukrainian refugee aid.
• The veto threatens the funding for Starlink internet access crucial for Ukraine's military.
• Political conflict in Poland grows, impacting public support for Ukrainian refugees.
• Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski warns of the "end of Starlink internet" for Ukraine.
• Polish government still holds the option to restore funding if new legislation is passed.

Poland's support for Ukraine is at risk following President Karol Nawrocki's veto of a crucial refugee aid bill, which has been instrumental in funding Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service for Ukraine. This service has provided essential connectivity for both civilians and the military during the ongoing conflict with Russia, according to India Times and Reuters.

The veto has led Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski to declare, "This is the end of Starlink internet, which Poland provides to Ukraine as it wages war," emphasizing the move's implications for the ongoing conflict. Gawkowski noted that without the legal framework provided by the vetoed legislation, payments for Starlink would cease after October 1 unless a new bill is passed by parliament by the end of next month, as reported by Al Jazeera and Reuters.

Poland's military and humanitarian support for Ukraine has been unwavering since the Russian invasion in 2022. However, rising domestic discontent is evident as President Nawrocki, reflecting nationalist sentiments, has proposed plans that limit benefits for Ukrainian refugees, including access to child allowances and healthcare. This shift in policy has contributed to a complex political landscape, where public support for the estimated 1.5 million Ukrainians in Poland is showing signs of strain, according to India Times and Al Jazeera.

In a broader context, the Polish government has spent approximately 77 million euros (about $90 million) on Starlink systems for Ukraine from 2022 to 2024. With the potential end of this funding, the Ukrainian government is actively assessing how this development could impact its citizens in Poland, adding that they expect their rights to be maintained at least at the level of other EU countries, as noted by Reuters.