Germany's SPD questions limits on temporary protection for Ukrainian men

The Social Democratic Party (SPD) in Germany criticised proposals to stop granting temporary protection to newly arrived Ukrainian men of conscription age. SPD parliamentary spokesman Sebastian Fiedler said the idea would disappear “if Putin ends his illegal war” and stressed that Germany should continue supporting Ukraine’s defence rather than deciding which young people are sent to fight. He noted that EU rules treat men of fighting age the same as women and children seeking refuge. A spokeswoman for Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) echoed the stance, saying Germany would back an EU majority that limits protection for such Ukrainian men who are not legally able to leave Ukraine.

The debate reflects broader concerns about how the EU’s asylum framework should handle Ukrainian refugees as the war continues.