Sweden supports protection restrictions for Ukrainian men in the EU, but there is a condition
Kyiv • UNN
The EU plans to restrict temporary protection for newly arrived Ukrainian men. Stockholm approves the initiative to support mobilization.
EU ministers generally supported the proposal to limit access to temporary protection for Ukrainian men of conscription age. This was reported by the Swedish Minister for Migration, Johan Forssell, according to UNN with reference to Reuters.
Details
According to him, Stockholm supports the proposal, which was discussed at a meeting on justice and home affairs in Luxembourg. At the same time, he emphasized that any restrictions should apply only to newcomers seeking temporary protection status, and not to those who already have it.
"It is important for us to provide protection to Ukrainians, but at the same time, the war must be fought and won. For this, it is important that more men remain in Ukraine and fight,"
The publication recalls that the European Union activated the Temporary Protection Directive following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 to manage the mass arrival of displaced persons.
"The scheme, which has been extended three times and expires in March 2027, provides beneficiaries with residence permits, access to the labor market, and social security. The European Commission would need to propose any extension or modification of the scheme, which must then be approved by EU countries," the article states.
Background
According to Eurostat, more than 4.33 million people who fled Ukraine are currently benefiting from the Temporary Protection Directive.
Germany hosts the largest share of Ukrainians under this scheme—about 29% of the total EU population. Poland and the Czech Republic follow.
Recall
European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner stated that the initiative of EU countries to exclude Ukrainian men of conscription age from the list of persons who can be granted temporary protection is supported by Ukraine itself.