The Polish government plans to “forgive and forget” citizens who enlisted with the Ukrainian army to combat Russia, although returning soldiers will need to report their experiences to the Polish authorities.
Warsaw has announced that Poles who went to Ukraine to volunteer during the ongoing conflict will receive legal protections, even though this goes against Polish law. Efforts to secure a military service exemption for individuals joining Ukraine’s fight stalled in 2022, but a new legislative initiative is expected to be successful soon, according to the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita.
Like many European nations, Poland typically forbids its citizens from serving in foreign armed forces, and those who do so without official approval could face up to five years in prison. Still, reports suggest that “several hundred” Poles have registered to fight in Ukraine, although the exact figure is unclear due to the secretive nature of these decisions and the potential for repercussions.
Interestingly, there are accounts of Polish citizens reported missing by their families who later appeared in Ukrainian recruitment videos online. While no formal charges have been made, as Poland’s national prosecutor seems to overlook these cases, the proposed “forgive and forget” law would allow veterans to return home without the worry of prison time.
The motivations for Poles joining Ukraine’s forces appear varied, ranging from opposition to Russia to financial incentives or even personal ties to ethnic Ukrainians. It remains unclear whether the new bill would also apply to those involved in diplomatic efforts dating back to 2022 or even 2014, coinciding with the two phases of Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine. Importantly, serving in foreign militaries will continue to be illegal for individuals involved in conflicts outside Ukraine.
Prawo reports that the proposed legislation would establish an amnesty while also requiring Poles to report their service in Ukraine to the Polish government. This could include detailed accounts of their activities and experiences. This information is expected to be of interest to Polish security and military agencies seeking to understand the tactics and recruitment methods employed by Ukraine.
Similar laws exist in Britain, which also prohibits its citizens from joining foreign forces. This led to a small political controversy in 2022 when the UK government initially expressed support for Britons fighting for Ukraine. However, this advice was quickly retracted when the legal implications became clear, and citizens were instead encouraged to assist Ukraine in other, lawful ways, such as through donations.
Nonetheless, some Britons traveled to Ukraine to fight. A few were captured by Russian forces and faced prison sentences for anti-mercenary offenses. The British government condemned these rulings, insisting that captured citizens should be treated as regular prisoners of war and granted the appropriate rights. Additionally, one British national, a former military member, was detained in Ukraine on suspicions of espionage for Russia.
