The European Commission has proposed extending the temporary protection regime for one more year for people displaced from Ukraine due to the war launched by Russia, until March 4, 2028.

According to a related announcement, the Commission proposes that temporary protection not be granted, as a rule, to newly arrived persons who have not been authorized by the Ukrainian authorities to leave the country due tomilitary obligations. According to the announcement, this provision aims to balance protection needs with Ukraine’s overall ability to defend itself against the ongoing war.

The Commission notes that Russia is continuing the aggressive war it launched in February 2022, with the result that the situation in Ukraine remains unstable and the protection needs of displaced persons continue to exist.

According to the announcement, the Commission’s proposal aims, on the one hand, to ensure legal certainty, stability, and predictability for those fleeing the war, and, on the other hand, to preserve Ukraine’s ability to meet its defense needs.

In a statement included in the press release, the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President for Technological Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, stated that the proposal addresses the needs of millions of Ukrainians fleeing the country due to the war, while also taking into account Ukraine’s current defense needs. She added that, once the transition beyond the temporary protection regime is complete, prospects must be ensured both for those who choose to remain in the European Union and for those who wish to return to Ukraine.

For his part, the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Bruner, stated that the proposal to extend temporary protection for another year reflects the European Union’s continued support for the Ukrainian people. At the same time, he emphasized the need to prepare for the future by supporting Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction, as well as through a coordinated transition once conditions permit.

The Commission also calls on Member States to intensify preparations for a coordinated transition following the expiration of the temporary protection regime, in accordance with the 2025 Council Recommendation. As noted, this process should include both pathways to long-term legal residence and opportunities for sustainable return and reintegration in Ukraine, once conditions permit.

The Commission notes that relevant preparations have already begun in several Member States and should remain a priority in the coming period.

At the same time, the Commission announced that it will develop, in cooperation with interested Member States and the Ukrainian authorities, a pilot program for voluntary return and recovery. The program will provide practical support to those who wish to return to Ukraine in areas such as employment, housing, and education.

According to the announcement, the Special Envoy for Ukrainians in the European Union, Ylva Johansson, will continue to work with member states and Ukrainian authorities to promote these initiatives.

Source: CNA