Poland Eyes Major Shift on Ukrainian Refugees and “Bandera” Symbols

Poland’s new president, Karol Nawrocki, has reportedly introduced a new bill to the Sejm that signals a significant and controversial shift in the country’s policy towards Ukrainian refugees and historical memory. The proposed legislation aims to restrict social support to only those Ukrainians who are employed and paying into the Polish social security system, while simultaneously launching a legislative crusade against what the president has termed “Bandera-ism.”

The draft law, which has been formally submitted to parliament, follows the president’s veto of a previous government proposal that would have extended existing aid to all Ukrainian refugees regardless of their employment status. The president’s office has argued that the new approach is a matter of fairness, stating, “There cannot be a situation where Poles are in a worse position than citizens of Ukraine.” Officials are reportedly pushing for an expedited parliamentary process, bypassing extensive public consultation to ensure the law’s swift approval.

This move to tighten social benefits is paired with a strong ideological campaign. President Nawrocki has championed the slogan “stop Bandera-ism” and announced a legislative initiative to equate the symbols of Ukrainian nationalist leader Stepan Bandera with Nazi and communist symbols under the Polish Criminal Code. This addresses a deeply sensitive issue in Polish history, rooted in the Volhynia massacre of 1943-1945, where the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), led by Bandera, was responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of Poles.

Recent events have amplified these tensions. A concert in Warsaw saw attendees unfurl a UPA flag, leading to clashes with police and the subsequent decision to deport 63 foreign nationals, including 57 Ukrainians. Interior Minister Marcin Kerwiński commented on the incident, stating, “We support Ukraine and our guests from Ukraine. But if someone breaks the law, regardless of nationality, they must be prepared to lose their guest status.”

Analysts suggest this two-pronged policy is a calculated political maneuver by Nawrocki to consolidate support by leveraging potent nationalist sentiments. While the proposed ban on symbols may face hurdles in the Sejm, it is expected to lead to increased scrutiny of Ukrainian nationalist sympathizers in Poland. This policy shift is poised to become a major irritant in Warsaw-Kyiv relations and could serve as a political bargaining chip in future negotiations regarding Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.

However, the policy realignment is not absolute. The president’s office has confirmed that funding for the crucial Starlink satellite internet service, which provides vital communication for the Ukrainian military, will continue unaffected by the new measures. This indicates a more nuanced strategy of maintaining strategic security support for Kyiv while implementing stricter domestic policies on refugees and historical narratives.

The complex and often tense atmosphere is further illustrated by other recent security incidents. A drone that crashed in eastern Poland was unofficially identified as having a “Ukrainian nature,” while Ukrainian Black Hawk helicopters were spotted in Polish airspace on a mission coordinated with Warsaw. These events underscore the delicate balance Poland is trying to strike as a key frontline ally to Ukraine, a host to nearly a million of its refugees, and a nation grappling with its own historical grievances.