EU member states agree in principle to extend the temporary protection of Ukrainian refugees until March 2027, according to an interval statement at the Luxembourg EU Interior Ministers' Meeting on Friday.
This expansion will allow Ukrainian citizens to continue to enter the EU labour market, social welfare and medical services without applying for asylum.
Friday's political agreement marked an important step, although the decision still needs to be formally adopted by EU member states, a move expected in the subsequent meeting.
Meanwhile, EU countries are discussing the European Commission’s proposal to prepare a coordinated return strategy for Ukrainians.
This will help Ukrainians who fled to the group to obtain other forms of residence permits, such as work or student visas. Information on return options should also be improved, paving the way for Ukrainians to gradually return to their country of origin.
EU immigration commissioner Magnus Brunner announced the appointment of Ukrainian refugee envoy. Bruner had previously stated that if the situation in Ukraine is stable, the protection status could also be cancelled prematurely.
The committee said that 4.3 million people have fled from Ukraine to the EU since the beginning of the Ukrainian war. Germany has the largest total share, with more than 1.2 million people.
