“The spokesperson of the European Commission explained that Ukrainians under temporary protection on the territory of the EU have the right to travel to Ukraine and return to the European Union without losing their temporary residence permit, and no EU state can prohibit them from doing so.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
Source: the spokesperson of the European Commission in an exclusive comment to “European Truth”
Details: The short-term return of Ukrainian refugees to Ukraine should not be considered by EU national states as a reason for terminating the effect of temporary protection against them, the spokesman emphasized.
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“Benefits of temporary protection may need to return to Ukraine for reasons other than voluntary return before the expiry of temporary protection (e.g. to visit family). Therefore, national authorities should not consider any short-term return to Ukraine as a decision on voluntary return, which is the basis for annulment of temporary residence permits and termination of rights related to temporary protection,” the European Commission explained.
Regarding the possible period of allowed “vacations” for Ukrainians with temporary protection, the spokesperson of the European Commission noted that “there is no specific threshold value for the maximum duration of absence in an EU member state in the Directive on temporary protection.”
Moreover, the European Commission reported that the EU states should not stop providing monetary assistance to Ukrainians, if they are entitled to it, during their trip to Ukraine.
“Vacation in Ukraine is not the same as voluntary return (to Ukraine). Therefore, during the holidays, EU member states should continue to grant beneficiaries the rights provided for by temporary protection,” the EC spokesman said.
We will remind you that the EU Council extended temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 2026.