LEGAL REGULATIONS REGARDING ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINIAN CITIZENS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ARMED CONFLICT ON THE TERRITORY OF THAT STATE

Abstract

The author discusses the principles of assistance to Ukrainian citizens who came to Poland in connection with the war caused by the aggression of the Russian Federation on February 24, 2022. Under the law of the European Union, the assistance is provided for by Council Directive 2001/55/EC of July 20, 2001 on minimum standards for giving temporary protection in the event of a mass influx of displaced persons and on measures promoting a balance of efforts between Member States in receiving such persons and bearing the consequences thereof. However, detailed rules of assistance are laid down by the Polish Act of 12 March 2022 on assistance to Ukrainian citizens in connection with the armed conflict on the territory of that state. The Act was not intended to grant to Ukrainian citizens special rights which they would not have if residing legally on the territory of Poland; its purpose was to shorten and simplify the procedures of legalization of stay for those refugees from Ukraine who directly crossed the borders of Poland from February 24, 2022. Thanks to legalizing their stay, they gained access to the labour market and public services in Poland.