The Council of the European Union unanimously supported the decision to extend the temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens residing in EU countries. The validity of the relevant directive is planned to be extended for another year, until March 4, 2027. Official approval of this decision is expected at one of the upcoming meetings.
This is reported by Бізнес • Медіа
EU Position and Future Scenarios
Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Semoniak noted that the Polish presidency initiated a discussion about the gradual cancellation of temporary protection after a just peace is achieved. He emphasized the need to develop a common strategy for all EU member states that will consider the issue of returning Ukrainians home in the future.
“We will continue to provide protection to millions of Ukrainian refugees for another year. The Polish presidency has also initiated discussions on a strategy for the gradual cancellation of temporary protection after a just peace is achieved. In the near future, we will work on joint solutions for the entire EU in this area, particularly in the context of returning to Ukraine,” commented Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Semoniak.
Opportunities for Ukrainians After Protection Ends
As noted by the Minister of National Unity Oleksiy Chernyshov, after the temporary protection expires, Ukrainian refugees will have two main options: return to Ukraine or change their residency status in the EU if they are employed or studying in European countries.
According to the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets, due to the full-scale war, over 6.9 million citizens of Ukraine have been forced to leave their homeland. He emphasized that the Ukrainian state must ensure conditions for the return of its citizens to their homeland.
Currently, about 5 million Ukrainians are in European Union countries under temporary protection status. More than 60% of them are located in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. In particular, Germany has accepted the largest number of Ukrainian refugees — over 1.2 million people.