EU proposes extending protection for Ukrainians but excluding newly arrived men of military age

The proposal

The European Commission on Friday proposed extending the temporary protection status for Ukrainians fleeing the war until March 4, 2028. The current scheme, which grants residence permits, work rights, and access to healthcare and education, is set to expire in March 2027. The extension would maintain support for the 4.4 million Ukrainians already in the EU, most of whom live in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

Exclusion of military-age men

Under the new plan, newly arriving men aged 23 to 60 who are subject to military obligations under Ukrainian law would no longer receive automatic temporary protection. Ukraine bars men of conscription age (25 to 60) and those on the military reserve list (23 to 25) from leaving the country. The Commission said the measure would not affect those already under protection. Affected individuals could still apply for asylum, but the process would be more difficult and offers no guarantee of residence.

“Temporary protection should not be granted to newly arriving persons who are not allowed to leave Ukraine because of their military obligations under Ukrainian law.”

Kyiv's request

The change follows a direct request from the Ukrainian government, which is struggling with severe manpower shortages after more than four years of full-scale war. Ukrainian forces have suffered an estimated 500,000 to 600,000 casualties, including 100,000 to 140,000 fatalities, according to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. Russia's casualties are estimated at nearly 1.2 million. Ukrainian Defence Minister Mychajlo Fedorow said authorities are searching for more than two million conscripts.

“This is something the Ukrainians asked us to do. We should not fall into this Russian propaganda trap.”

Reactions and concerns

The Council of Europe, the continent's human rights watchdog, warned against blanket restrictions. Human Rights Commissioner Michael O'Flaherty said the realities in Ukraine do not yet allow for safe and dignified returns, and that removing protection without a robust safety net risks driving millions into legal limbo and poverty. Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt voiced support for the exclusion, while Denmark announced a similar national measure a day earlier.

“The realities on the ground in Ukraine do not meet the conditions for a safe and dignified return.”

Next steps

The proposal requires approval from the EU's 27 member states. The Commission hopes the exclusion will enter force within weeks. A pilot programme to support voluntary returns is also being developed. The temporary protection scheme, first activated in March 2022, has been extended several times and remains a cornerstone of the EU's response to the war.