Polish president signed social aid law for Ukrainian refugees for the last time

Polish President Karol Nawrocki said on November 14 that he signed a law extending legal protections for Ukrainian refugees until March 2026 — but stressed it would be the last extension unless Poland develops a new, long-term approach, Gazeta.pl reported.

Around 1 million Ukrainian refugees were living in Poland by mid-2025. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, they have received monthly financial aid, access to healthcare, and simplified residency rules.

Nawrocki argued that the current system is “unfair to Poles” because it places Ukrainian citizens on the same footing as Polish nationals. He said Ukrainians should be treated responsibly but ultimately on the same terms as other national minorities.

He noted he signed the extension only to avoid immediate legal chaos and warned that without a clearer policy, Poland could face major problems when refugee status expires in March 2026.

Earlier, Nawrocki vetoed a previous version of the law over what he considered overly generous benefits. The government then drafted a revised bill, passed on September 17, which extends Ukrainians’ legal stay and tightens oversight of social assistance and medical services available to adult refugees.

Energy corruption scandal sparked an Italian Government clash over the Aid for Ukraine

A heated public argument between two top Italian officials has exposed deep divisions within Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's coalition government over continued military and financial support for Ukraine. The controversy, ignited by recent corruption allegations in Ukraine's energy sector, pits Vice-Premier Matteo Salvini against Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, raising questions about the future of Italy's €1.2 billion aid package to Kyiv amid Russia's grinding invasion.

The dispute took place on Thursday when Salvini, leader of the far-right League party, voiced sharp reservations about funneling more Italian taxpayer money into what he described as a "corruption-fueled" war effort. In a statement that quickly drew international attention, Salvini argued that emerging scandals involving Ukrainian officials undermine the rationale for ongoing assistance. "It seems that corruption scandals are emerging in which the Ukrainian government is involved," he said. "So I would not want the money of Italian workers and pensioners to be used to fuel further corruption."

Crosetto fired back, rejecting any aid pause as "absurd" and stressing Italy's duty to support Ukraine's civilians under relentless Russian attacks. The scandal involves €40 million allegedly embezzled in Ukraine's energy sector, partly from Western funds. Salvini cited Russian gains to push for peace talks, while Crosetto defended Kyiv's anti-corruption efforts despite isolated cases.

Poland's FM Sikorski warned Ukraine must tackle graft to join the EU. In Italy, 52% favor cutting aid amid domestic woes. Italy has sent €400 million in arms this year; any shift risks fracturing EU unity as Russia advances in Donetsk. Ukraine vows to fight corruption while praising Italy's support. Meloni must now balance her coalition amid growing Western fatigue.

US delays sanctions on Russian oil giant Lukoil

The U.S. Treasury Department has postponed the enforcement of sanctions on Russian oil giant Lukoil, giving the company time to sell its international assets, Bloomberg reported on November 14.

Lukoil began negotiating potential sales shortly before asking U.S. officials to delay the sanctions. Interest in the company’s foreign holdings has since grown, with prospective buyers from the U.S., Europe, and the Persian Gulf seeking Treasury approval to engage with Lukoil, Bloomberg said.

One option under discussion involves a major buyer taking over most of Lukoil’s international assets, with several smaller deals completing the rest.

The Trump administration has issued limited exemptions to allow certain transactions with Lukoil, enabling coordination with foreign governments and prospective purchasers. The Treasury has also granted a license permitting specific dealings related to Lukoil’s retail gas stations and international asset sales until December 13.

A separate exemption delays sanctions on Lukoil’s subsidiaries in Bulgaria until April 29.

Russian soldiers execute two Ukrainian POWs in Zaporizhzhia Oblast

Russian forces reportedly executed two Ukrainian prisoners of war on the outskirts of Zatyshshia in the Huliaipole hromada of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, according to the military analysis group DeepState and Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets.

DeepState said the two captured Ukrainian soldiers were shot despite being outside active frontline positions. The group noted that Russian infiltration has intensified, allowing enemy troops to appear from the rear even several kilometres from the front line. DeepState reported that Ukrainian forces killed the Russian soldiers with an FPV drone about 20 minutes later.

Lubinets said the execution of prisoners is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions. He has sent official notices to the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) and the UN, calling for an immediate international response to what he described as Russia’s systematic violations.