EU governments are considering whether to exclude Ukrainian men of conscription age from any future extension of the bloc's temporary protection program, which has provided refuge to over four million Ukrainians fleeing Russia's invasion, Euractiv reports, according to UNN.
Details
This proposal emerged during discussions on the future of the EU's Temporary Protection Directive (TPD), which allows Ukrainians to live and work across Europe without applying to national asylum systems. The program, activated after Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, is currently in effect until March 2027 following an extension agreed upon last year.
According to an internal EU Council document seen by Euractiv, among the options being discussed is an extension of temporary protection with a narrowed scope, specifically by "excluding men of conscription age" or individuals who did not leave Ukraine legally,
Any such restriction would apply to new applicants seeking temporary protection status, the outlet writes.
Euractiv first reported in March that EU countries were exploring the possibility of another extension of this program, which could prolong its operation into a sixth year.
Last year, the European Commission urged EU governments to prepare for the eventual phasing out of the program. In 2024, it adopted recommendations for a "coordinated transition" to more stable legal statuses, but progress has been uneven so far, the publication points out.
Some governments within the bloc expressed concern that a "growing share of recent arrivals consists of men of conscription age" – with several countries arguing that the framework should be revised "also in the interest of Ukraine," both to support the country's resistance against Russia and to facilitate future reconstruction efforts, the document says.
The future of the framework will be discussed by migration ministers at the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council this week, where they are expected to provide political guidance on its next steps. Any future extension or revision would need to be proposed by the European Commission.
The European Commission has not yet indicated whether it will formally propose another extension. When asked about this issue, a European Commission spokesperson told Euractiv that discussions with EU governments on the matter are ongoing.
As of March 2026, 4.33 million Ukrainians held temporary protection status in the EU, with the largest numbers hosted by Germany (1.27 million), Poland (961,405), and the Czech Republic (379,820). They accounted for over 98% of all beneficiaries. Among them, 43.3% were women, 30.1% were children, and 26.6% were adult men.
EU prepares to extend temporary protection for Ukrainians for another year14.05.26, 12:24