EU extends Ukraine protection, plans curbs for draft-age new arrivals

The European Commission has proposed extending temporary protection for Ukrainians in the EU by another year while excluding some new draft-age arrivals. The move balances support for those already displaced with Kyiv's push for tighter rules and rights concerns over future safeguards.

In Short

• More than 4.4 million Ukrainians currently receive housing, welfare and schooling support
• Germany and Poland host the largest share of displaced Ukrainians
• Kyiv wants stricter EU rules as it seeks to bolster troop numbers

The European Union on Friday moved to extend temporary protection for millions of Ukrainians who fled the war, while also proposing that new arrivals who are not allowed to leave Ukraine because of their military obligations should not get the same status. The protection covering more than 4.4 million Ukrainians in the bloc since 2022 is due to expire in March 2027, and the European Commission wants it extended by another year.

The proposal comes as Ukraine presses the EU to tighten the rules while trying to increase the size of its fighting force more than four years into the full-scale war with Russia. But the Council of Europe, the continent's human rights watchdog, warned against reducing protection and assistance for people displaced by the conflict, including those who could be eligible for military service.

Ukrainians who reached the EU after Russia's invasion have been given temporary residency permits and support such as accommodation or help in finding housing, social welfare benefits, medical care and access to schools. Most of them are living in Germany and Poland.

Ukraine is seeking to strengthen its armed forces after what has been estimated as around 600,000 military casualties. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in February that 55,000 troops have died and many are missing. EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner said that “temporary protection should not be granted to newly arriving persons who are not allowed to leave Ukraine because of their military obligations under Ukrainian law.” The proposed change would not affect Ukrainians already in Europe, but it could apply in future to people aged between 23 and 60. The commission hopes the measure can take effect within weeks, once the EU's 27 member countries endorse the plan.

Brunner also said the commission wants to test a new project to support Ukrainians in Europe who want to return home immediately or in the near future once the fighting eases. The Council of Europe, which is not part of the EU, said blanket restrictions on the support available to certain categories of people raise human rights concerns. It said some people might seek protection because of concerns over military service, and that such applications should be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Human Rights Commissioner Michael O'Flaherty said that the “realities on the ground in Ukraine do not meet the conditions for a safe and dignified return”. He said taking away people's protections “without a robust safety net risks driving millions into legal limbo, poverty, and unsafe, involuntary returns.” The European Commission said it is trying to provide protection “in a way that ensures Ukraine's overall ability to best defend itself against the Russian illegal war of aggression and to decide freely on the organisation of its defence forces.” In effect, the EU is seeking to continue support for Ukrainians already in the bloc while tightening access for some future arrivals, as member states consider the proposal and rights bodies call for safeguards.

With PTI Inputs

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