EU member states agree to extend temporary protection Ukrainian refugees
The European member states have on Friday given the green light to extend temporary protection for Ukrainian asylum seekers by one year, until March 2027. In Belgium, more than 93,000 Ukrainians are benefiting from this temporary protection.
Shortly after the Russian invasion in 2022, the EU member states decided to activate the directive on temporary protection. This meant that Ukrainian refugees did not have to go through the traditional asylum procedure and were immediately granted the right of residence and access to housing, social assistance, healthcare, the labour market and education. Today, about 4.3 million Ukrainians enjoy temporary protection in the EU, with more than 93,000 people in Belgium.
The current regime, which has been extended several times, runs until 4 March 2026, and the European Commission had proposed extending it by another year, until 4 March 2027. The European ministers responsible for internal affairs and migration unanimously gave the green light for this on Friday in Luxembourg.
“While Russia continues to terrorise Ukrainian civilians with indiscriminate air strikes, the EU continues to show its solidarity with the Ukrainian people,” said Polish interior minister Tomasz Siemoniak in a press release. “The Polish Presidency (of the Council, ed.) also initiated a discussion on a strategy to phase out temporary protection once a just peace is achieved. In the near future, we will work towards common, EU-wide solutions in this area, including in the context of returns to Ukraine.”
"While Russia continues to terrorise Ukrainian civilians, the EU continues to show its solidarity"
The Commission also put forward proposals for a gradual return of Ukrainians. Amongst other things, it wants to set up hubs to help refugees integrate or return, and to enable exploratory visits for Ukrainians who want to return.
Belgian support
Minister of asylum and migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt, who represents Belgium in Luxembourg, said on Friday that Belgium supports the extension. “This provides certainty for Ukrainian displaced persons and for the countries that are hosting them,” she said. "We also want to engage in dialogue with Ukraine and other member states about the future. As soon as it is safe, we must work towards a return that is characterised by hope and reconstruction."
Belgian minister of asylum and migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt at the European Council in Brussels © BELGA PHOTO HANS LUCAS COLLECTION
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