EU will not grant temporary protection to those who evade their military obligations in Ukraine
European Union countries have agreed to extend temporary protection for those fleeing Ukraine until March 2028, but from now on, temporary protection will be granted only to those who satisfy their military obligations in Ukraine, the Council of the EU said in a statement on July 15.
This limitation will only apply to new applicants for temporary protection and will not apply to those already benefiting from temporary protection in the EU, the statement said.
Temporary protection for people displaced from Ukraine first was activated in March 2022, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and now will be extended until March 4 2028.
Extending protection by one additional year will provide clarity and predictability to all those fleeing the war, the Council of the EU statement said.
Recognising both the need to protect displaced persons and Ukraine’s need to defend itself against Russia’s illegal war of aggression, EU countries agreed that temporary protection should be granted only to those complying with their military obligations in Ukraine, the statement said.
In practice, to receive temporary protection, persons displaced from Ukraine will have to prove compliance with their military obligations.
As an example, this could be done by showing a passport with the exit stamp provided by the Ukrainian authorities proving they left Ukraine legally and therefore satisfy military obligations.
This could also be done by showing a document, in paper or electronic format, that confirms exemption or compliance with military obligations.
Temporary protection had so far been extended until March 4 2027, with more than four million displaced persons from Ukraine benefitting from protection in the EU since March 2022.
Temporary protection provides immediate and collective protection to a large group of displaced persons who arrive in the EU and who are not in a position to return to their country of origin.
People benefitting from temporary protection enjoy the same rights across the EU. These rights include residence, access to the labour market and housing, medical assistance, social welfare assistance and access to education for children.
The Council will formally adopt the decision to extend temporary protection in the coming weeks. The decision will then be published in the EU Official Journal and will enter into force the following day.
(Photo: EC Audiovisual Service)
