The law will provide important guarantees for Polish volunteers
Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki has signed a law that exempts Polish volunteers fighting on the side of Ukraine from liability.
This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing PAP.
Also read: Foreign fighters will be given broader opportunities in the Armed Forces of Ukraine
According to the new rules, Poles who have served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine must submit a written declaration to the Polish Ministry of National Defense.
The document must specify the date and place of the start and end of service. The declaration is submitted under the threat of criminal liability for false information and is subject to the regime of protection of classified information.
The authors of the bill noted that the document does not encourage Polish citizens to participate in the war against Russia and does not create any additional conditions for joining the Ukrainian army.
Its aim is solely to guarantee that such individuals will not be held accountable for relevant offenses.
The law provides for the so-called principle of “forgiveness and oblivion” regarding certain actions, in particular joining a foreign army without permission, recruitment, and violations of Poland’s defense laws.
The document was introduced to the Sejm by deputies of the Civic Coalition back in December 2024.
The amnesty applies to actions committed from April 6, 2014, until the law comes into force, and concerns only service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which Poland recognizes as legitimate.
At the same time, it is selective in nature and does not cover mercenary military activities prohibited by international law.
Foreigners in the Armed Forces of Ukraine
It is worth noting that it was previously reported that foreigners from over 75 countries serve in the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, participating in the defense of Ukraine against Russian aggression.
Every month, about 600 citizens of other countries sign contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
It has also become known that foreign volunteers participate in combat operations in the most tense areas of the front, strengthening Ukraine’s defense resilience.
