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EU proposes extending protection for Ukrainians, but excludes conscription-age men
🇵🇱 Poland /Conflict & Security

EU proposes extending protection for Ukrainians, but excludes conscription-age men

From Rzeczpospolita · () Polish

Translated from Polish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The European Commission has proposed extending temporary protection for Ukrainians in the EU for another year, until March 4, 2028.
  • However, the proposal includes excluding Ukrainians of conscription age who are currently in Ukraine from this protection.
  • This decision was made at the request of Ukrainian authorities, aiming to address the country's defense needs and reconstruction efforts.

The European Commission has put forward a proposal to extend the EU's temporary protection mechanism for Ukrainians by one year, setting the new expiration date to March 4, 2028. This extension aims to continue providing refuge and support to those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.

A significant aspect of the new proposal, however, is the exclusion of newly arriving Ukrainians who are of conscription age and are unable to leave Ukraine due to military service obligations. This specific measure was reportedly requested by the Ukrainian authorities themselves, as stated by EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs Magnus Brunner. He emphasized that the proposal reflects Ukraine's changing defense and reconstruction needs.

Our proposal takes into account the changing defense and reconstruction needs of Ukraine. Our proposal provides that temporary protection should not be granted to newly arrived persons who cannot leave Ukraine due to military service obligations under Ukrainian law. That is precisely what Ukraine asked us for, and that is what we are doing.

— Magnus BrunnerEU Commissioner for Internal Affairs explaining the rationale behind the proposal to exclude conscription-age Ukrainians.

Commissioner Brunner clarified that the exclusion would not affect Ukrainians already residing in the EU and benefiting from temporary protection. Their status remains unchanged. The proposal will take effect once it receives unanimous approval from the EU member states and is published in the Official Journal of the EU.

Nothing changes for those who are already here and receive temporary protection.

— Magnus BrunnerEU Commissioner for Internal Affairs clarifying that the new rules do not affect Ukrainians already in the EU.

Currently, nearly 4.4 million Ukrainians are under temporary protection within the EU. The mechanism guarantees them the right to legal stay, work, and education. While women aged 35-64 constitute the largest group (23%), men aged 18-34 represent 13% of those covered. The Commission also announced the launch of a pilot program for voluntary returns and reintegration of Ukrainians wishing to go back home.

Despite the Commission's proposal, the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, has voiced opposition to excluding conscription-age men. He argued that granting protection should not be discriminatory, particularly based on gender.

Granting protection to Ukrainians should not be discriminatory, and in particular not based on gender.

— Michael O'FlahertyCouncil of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights expressing opposition to the proposed exclusion.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Rzeczpospolita in Polish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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