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[POLITICS] · Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Ukraine · 86 sources

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EU proposes extending Ukrainian temporary protection to 2028 while barring draft‑age men

The European Commission has announced a proposal to extend the EU’s temporary protection scheme for Ukrainians displaced by Russia’s invasion until 4 March 2028. The extension would keep the rights to reside, work, study and access health and social services for the roughly 4.4 million current beneficiaries. However, the plan would exclude new arrivals who are of military‑age and barred from leaving Ukraine under its mobilisation law – mainly men aged about 23‑60 – from the automatic protection. Those already protected would retain their status, and the excluded men could still apply for individual asylum. The Commission said the change reflects Kyiv’s request to reduce the outflow of draft‑eligible men and to support Ukraine’s defence and reconstruction needs. A pilot voluntary‑return programme is also proposed to help Ukrainians who wish to go back when conditions allow. The proposal now goes to the Council of the EU, where a qualified‑majority of member states must approve it, with discussions expected in July.

The scheme, first activated in March 2022, has primarily benefited women and children; adult men account for about 27 % of protected persons. Member states such as Germany, Austria, Bulgaria and Denmark have voiced support for tightening the rules, while human‑rights bodies have warned against indirect discrimination. If adopted, the new rules would apply only to future arrivals; existing protection would remain unchanged.

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