Volodymyr Zelensky submitted the bill to Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The plan is to grant “legal and social guarantees to Polish citizens staying in the territory of Ukraine,” presidential aides said.
They added that the bill represented “a mark of gratitude to the Polish nation for the solidarity and support extended to Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion.”
Under the bill, Poles in Ukraine would enjoy rights and guarantees similar to those Poland had granted to Ukrainians fleeing the war, according to officials.
Legal stay, right to work, access to public services
For instance, Polish citizens will be allowed to stay legally in Ukraine for 18 months after the bill is enacted; they will also be able to work, do business, study, use healthcare services and claim certain social benefits in Ukraine, reporters were told.
Poland’s President Andrzej Duda said on Monday that Zelensky’s bill represented “a symbolic invitation,” with "Polish people being welcomed with special treatment.”
Meanwhile, Piotr Müller, the spokesman for the Polish government, said the Ukrainian president’s proposal was designed to "facilitate economic and social cooperation in the future.”
“It’s especially important given the plans to rebuild Ukraine and Poland’s role in that regard,” Müller said.
Also on Monday, Zelensky granted the title of "Rescuer City" to Przemyśl in southeastern Poland, for its role in helping war-torn Ukraine and welcoming refugees.
Earlier, a similar honour was given to Rzeszów, another southeastern Polish city, the PAP news agency reported.
Monday was day 138 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, polsatnews.pl