EU member states have granted a one-year extension of the temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war with Russia, allowing them to remain until March 2027.
Currently, around 4.3 million Ukrainians are registered as refugees within the European Union, with Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic hosting the largest populations.
“As Russia continues to terrorize Ukrainian civilians with indiscriminate air strikes, the EU remains steadfast in its solidarity,” stated Tomasz Siemoniak, Poland’s interior minister, whose country currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency.
“We will continue to provide protection for millions of Ukrainian refugees for another year.”
After several renewals, the measure was set to expire in March, but it will now be extended until March 4, 2027.
This extension, proposed by the European Commission last week, received unanimous support from the European Council, representing member states during a meeting of interior ministers in Luxembourg.
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Ministers also began discussions on preparations for ending the system, anticipating that some Ukrainians may return home while others might seek to stay in Europe.
“The Polish presidency also initiated discussions on a strategy for phasing out temporary protection once a just peace is achieved,” remarked Mr. Siemoniak.
“In the near future, we will strive for common EU-wide solutions in this area, particularly regarding returns to Ukraine.”
Those benefiting from temporary protection receive the same rights throughout the EU, including a residence permit, access to the labor market and housing, medical assistance, social welfare, and educational opportunities.
While EU states initially welcomed millions of Ukrainians with open arms at the conflict’s onset, signs of declining patience are emerging in some regions, especially as peace efforts stall and the war extends into its fourth year.
Poland, a strong supporter of Kyiv during the conflict and home to one million Ukrainian refugees, recently elected a president who aims to reduce their benefits.
Germany, the largest single host with nearly 1.2 million Ukrainian refugees, is also contemplating limiting benefits as the national sentiment on immigration becomes more stringent.
Last week, the commission announced that it was implementing “an exit strategy,” emphasizing that temporary protection is, by its very nature, temporary.
