Polish President Karol Nawrocki on Monday blocked legislation that would extend rights Ukrainian refugees have in Poland, taking particular exception to child benefits which he said should be paid only to parents with a job.

Since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, around one million refugees have settled in Poland. Most of them are women and children.

Poland is a key supporter of Ukraine and a major transit route for Western aid but public attitudes towards Ukrainians have hardened.

The law Nawrocki is blocking -- put forward by the country's pro-EU government -- seeks to extend to March 2026 the temporary protection status Ukrainians have in Poland, as well as a number of other measures given to them.

Without an extension, they will expire at the end of September.

The legislation al

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