EU interior ministers convened on June 4-5 to deliberate the future legal status of Ukrainian refugees as the Temporary Protection Directive is set to expire in March 2027. The meeting focused on member states’ positions regarding the extension of this directive.
Estonian Interior Minister Igor Taro advocated for the continuation of the directive in its current form, emphasizing the need for thorough analysis before any changes are made. “We believe that extending the Temporary Protection Directive as it stands would be the most sensible approach, supporting Ukraine for as long as necessary,” Taro stated.
“Any modifications should also involve discussions with Ukraine,” he added.
Finland’s Interior Minister Maria Rantanen expressed her country’s support for extending temporary protection but indicated a willingness to consider restrictions for specific groups, particularly men of conscription age.
“Finland is open to discussing such limitations regarding temporary protection, especially for men of draft age,” she noted.
Rantanen also pointed out the need to restrict visas issued to Russian nationals, citing ongoing aggression from Russia against Ukraine.
“It is unacceptable that EU countries continue to issue too many tourist visas to Russians while the country has been aggressive for over four years,” she remarked.
Poland’s Deputy Secretary of State for Internal Affairs, Maciej Duszczyk, echoed similar sentiments, stating that Poland supports limiting temporary protection for men of conscription age. He highlighted the unique circumstances faced by border regions, where residents often hear explosions from Russian missiles targeting civilian areas near the Polish border.
“Geographical restrictions are unacceptable for us, and we will explain why this cannot be accepted,” Duszczyk said.
Germany’s Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt acknowledged ongoing discussions about extending the directive but expressed doubts about including Ukrainian men of draft age in the extension.
“While we want to continue the directive, we have reservations about whether it should apply to men of conscription age,” he stated.
Dobrindt clarified that any limitations on temporary protection would not preclude the standard asylum process, which allows for individual assessments.
“There remains the possibility of undergoing the asylum procedure in the usual manner, which does not fall under the Temporary Protection Directive,” he explained.
Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska Gomez emphasized the need for the EU to find a unified stance on the protection of Ukrainian refugees, noting that temporary protection should not be a long-term solution.
He revealed that Spain currently hosts 267,000 Ukrainians under temporary protection and stressed the necessity for a cohesive EU approach based on three principles: protection, effective integration, and voluntary return when circumstances permit.
“All Ukrainian citizens will continue to be protected in all EU countries, and we must move towards effective integration and voluntary return, depending on the situation and the hope for a lasting peace in Ukraine,” he said.
On June 1, discussions surfaced regarding potential revisions to the Temporary Protection Directive, particularly concerning restrictions for Ukrainian men of conscription age. These changes would likely apply only to new applicants.
Exit Restrictions for Ukrainian Men
During the ongoing martial law, men aged 18 to 60 face restrictions on leaving Ukraine. However, since September 1, 2022, the government has permitted men of conscription age to travel abroad for work purposes, with a maximum duration of seven days and a return guarantee of a 200,000 UAH deposit.
According to government regulations, men who leave Ukraine must register for military service by June 17, and those who fail to update their information will face limitations on consular services.
Ukrainian Refugees Abroad
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU activated the Temporary Protection Directive, allowing Ukrainians to stay legally in EU countries and access essential social services, including healthcare, education, and employment. The directive is currently valid until March 2025, with the possibility of extension.
On June 25, the European Council decided to extend temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees until March 4, 2026. As of May 31, Eurostat reported that 4.3 million people had received temporary protection status in EU countries due to the invasion, with 98% being Ukrainian citizens.
EU interior ministers are discussing the future of Ukrainian refugees as the Temporary Protection Directive nears expiration. While some countries support its extension, others propose restrictions, particularly for men of conscription age, amid ongoing conflict with Russia.