The European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner (L), and Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov (R), holding a press conference on a common and planned way forward for Ukrainian refugees in Europe in Brussels, Belgium, 4 June 2025 | Photo: Olivier Hoslet / EPA
The European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner (L), and Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov (R), holding a press conference on a common and planned way forward for Ukrainian refugees in Europe in Brussels, Belgium, 4 June 2025 | Photo: Olivier Hoslet / EPA

The European Commission has proposed extending until March 4, 2027 the current temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens displaced due to war.

The European Commission (EC) announced it was intending to extend the temporary protection for people fleeing war in Ukraine for an additional year, until March 4, 2027. The current temporary protection accorded to those who fled Ukraine after the Russian invasion in February 2022 was due to last until March 4, 2026.

At the same time the EC has started to draft a plan to coordinate the repatriation of Ukrainians in the event that the conflict with Russia ends. The EC executive announced in a statement on June 4.

Directive affects nearly 4.3 million

As of March 2025, the EU counted nearly 4.3 million displaced persons from Ukraine, of which one third are children, who are currently benefiting from this emergency mechanism to offer special protection, which was activated by the EU in March 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion.

The EC justified its extension of temporary protection, which was already extended numerous times, because, as explained in a statement, "the war in Ukraine continues and the conditions to allow repatriations in safe and secure conditions on a large scale do not exist."

At the same time, the EC underscores the importance of preparing a gradual transition from temporary protection, in close coordination with all Ukrainian authorities.

Commission experts therefore recommend that EU member states guarantee displaced Ukrainians within the EU a transition to other judicial statuses, for example permits for residency for work, education, research, family reasons or a national status of residence for an extended period.

'The situation in Ukraine...is still very unstable'

"The situation in Ukraine is, obviously, still very unstable. If the ceasefire is agreed and maintained, which everyone continues to hope, we will have to adapt. There is always the possibility to put an end to the temporary protection before 4 March 2027," stated the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, at a press conference in Brussels on June 4.

"In all cases -- he added -- we are encouraging member states to start financing from now, as well as help people change their status to better reflect their situation. For example, if they are working, they could get a working visa, or if they are studying, obviously, they could get a student visa."

The EC suggests preparing a gradual and orderly return to Ukraine through exploration visits to the country, volunteer repatriation programs and offering assistance to vulnerable persons until such a time as their needs can be met by the Ukrainian authorities once again.

Toward the nomination of an EU Special Envoy for Ukrainians

"Since 2022 we have offered protection to those fleeing war and we continue to do so. And together with Ukraine we open the path for persons to be able to return and rebuild their homes once the situation becomes safe again," explained the EC President, Ursula von der Leyen.

Therefore, the EC recommends setting up information centers, and so-called Unity Hubs, both for inclusion of the displaced in the hosting communities but also to provide them with support for their return to Ukraine, when the conditions allow it.

To strengthen the coordination of Member States and the Ukrainian Authorities, the proposal is to set up adequate instruments and communication channels, including information campaigns.

To support Member States, the EC will also nominate an EU Special Envoy for Ukrainians.

It is up to the Council to formally adopt the proposal of the EC to extend the temporary protection status for a further year.

The special directive activated by the EU across all its member states has lightened the burden on already over-stretched national asylum systems and put in place a bloc-wide planning, that helps to guarantee displaced Ukrainians rights, wherever they are in the EU.