Hungary Rejects EU Plan to Block Conscription-Age Ukrainian Men from Protection

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Madar said Hungary will not support the European Commission's proposal that would tighten the EU's temporary protection scheme for Ukrainian men of conscription age. The draft, published on 26 June, would extend temporary protection for about 4.4 million Ukrainians until 4 March 2028 but introduce stricter entry conditions for men subject to military service, potentially taking effect in March 2027 if approved.

Madar stressed that Hungary will continue to provide shelter to Hungarian nationals from the Carpathian region and any Ukrainian refugees escaping war or mobilization, regardless of the EU decision. He noted that dozens of other member states share Hungary's opposition. Roughly 70‑80 thousand ethnic Hungarians live in western Ukraine, with several hundred serving in Ukrainian armed forces. The proposal requires a qualified majority of EU states to pass.

The Hungarian government therefore plans to accept those fleeing conscription even if the new EU rules are adopted.