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EU considers limiting protection for Ukrainian men of fighting age

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • EU ministers broadly supported a proposal to limit temporary protection for Ukrainian men of military age, according to Sweden's migration minister.
  • The Temporary Protection Directive, activated after Russia's 2022 invasion, grants residence permits and access to labor and social welfare, and is set to expire in March 2027.
  • Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has called on Russian President Putin to end the war through direct talks, proposing a meeting in a letter.

European Union ministers have broadly backed a proposal to restrict temporary protection for Ukrainian men eligible for military service, a move supported by Sweden.

Sweden's Migration Minister Johan Forssell stated that while the EU must provide protection to Ukrainians, "the war needs to be fought and won." He emphasized that for this to happen, "it is essential that more men stay in Ukraine and fight." Forssell indicated that any restrictions should apply only to new arrivals, not those already under the scheme.

It is essential for us to provide Ukrainians with protection, but at the same time the war needs to be fought and won. For that to happen, it is essential that more men stay in Ukraine and fight.

— Johan ForssellSweden's Migration Minister, explaining his country's support for limiting temporary protection for Ukrainian men of military age.

The Temporary Protection Directive was enacted following Russia's 2022 invasion to manage the influx of displaced Ukrainians. The directive grants beneficiaries residence permits, labor market access, and social welfare. It has been extended three times and is currently scheduled to expire in March 2027.

Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us, and you. I am proposing a meeting.

— Volodymyr ZelenskyyIn a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, proposing direct talks to end the war.

More than 4.33 million people fleeing Ukraine currently benefit from the directive. Germany hosts the largest number of Ukrainians under the scheme, followed by Poland and the Czech Republic.

In a separate development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has directly appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war. In a letter published Thursday night, Zelenskyy proposed direct talks and a meeting, stating, "You did not expect full-scale resistance from Ukraine, and you did not foresee that things would go this far. Yet here we all are, in the fifth year of this full-scale war. Do not be afraid to take the path out of this war."

You did not expect full-scale resistance from Ukraine, and you did not foresee that things would go this far. Yet here we all are, in the fifth year of this full-scale war. Do not be afraid to take the path out of this war.

— Volodymyr ZelenskyyIn a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to end the war.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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