EU Tightens Rules for Ukrainian Draft Evaders, Slovak and Czech Officials Warn of Rising Illegal Migration

The European Union has revised its temporary protection scheme for Ukrainian men of conscription age. Under the new rules, only those who have already completed military service or have been officially discharged may receive protection, and automatic eligibility for the scheme has been removed. The overall temporary protection regime has been extended until March 2028.

Slovakia’s interior minister Matúš Šutaj warned that the stricter EU rules could trigger an increase in illegal migration across Slovakia’s eastern border, raising security concerns. In the Czech Republic, MEP Alexandr Vondra and fellow MEP Kateřina Konečná criticised the European Commission for a perceived lenient approach, arguing that the EU must avoid becoming a magnet for irregular migrants and should adjust legislation accordingly.