EU decides on temporary protection for Ukrainians

The Council of the European Union (EU) has announced that member states have reached an agreement to extend the temporary protection status provided to Ukrainians who have sought refuge in EU countries due to the Russia-Ukraine War until March 4, 2028.

In its statement, the Council noted that the decision would provide "clarity and predictability" for those displaced by the war. The statement reiterated the EU's commitment to supporting Ukraine and its people "for as long as necessary."

It was also reported that EU countries have reached a consensus on a limitation regarding military service obligations in Ukraine for new temporary protection applications. It was noted that this regulation will only cover new applications and that individuals already benefiting from temporary protection status in the EU will not be affected.

According to the latest data from Eurostat, the number of Ukrainians benefiting from the temporary protection mechanism in EU countries has reached 4.37 million. Of these individuals, 44.7 percent are adult women, 31.7 percent are children, and 23.6 percent are men.

The EU first activated the 2001 Temporary Protection Directive in March 2022 following a rapid increase in the number of people fleeing Ukraine. Under this status, Ukrainians can obtain residence permits in EU countries and benefit from opportunities such as education, healthcare, employment, social support, housing, and subsistence assistance.