EU has no clear plan for Ukrainian refugees in the event of ceasefire
www.pravda.com.ua
Mon, 07 Apr 2025 10:49:12 +0300
Millions of Ukrainian refugees in the EU may be at risk of losing their legal status, as there is no clear plan to allow them to stay after a ceasefire with Russia.
Source European Pravda with reference to an article by Euractiv Details Since Russias invasion in February 2022, the EU Temporary Protection Directive has become a legal lifeline for almost 4.3 million Ukrainians.
It allows EU countries to grant the right to live, work and access services to Ukrainians, most of whom have settled in Poland, Germany, Czechia and Slovakia.
However, as the ceasefire talks continue, this safety net could be disrupted.
A ceasefire may change the scenario overnight, and host countries will be forced to decide whether to roll back protection, insist on integration or push refugees to return home.
Last year, EU governments agreed to extend temporary protection until March 2026, going far beyond the original scope of a twoyear protection period with a possible oneyear extension.
Any extension will be granted on a yeartoyear basis.
The levels of protection also vary from country to country.
Each EU country interprets the directive somewhat differently in its national legislation, which means that Ukrainians are treated differently depending on where they settle.
The European Commission said it has begun considering the next steps, including whether or not to extend temporary protection, help people transition to national status for work, study or family reunification, and support those who decide to return to Ukraine.
Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakuan confirmed that Czechia, along with Germany and the European Commission, is actively involved in formulating a joint response during the Polish presidency of the Council of the EU.
But the specific conditions are yet to be negotiated, Rakuan said.
As Euractiv has learned, the EU Council is due to consider the issue at its next meeting of interior ministers in June.
Czech Interior Ministry spokeswoman Hana Mal confirmed that any decision to end temporary protection will require the agreement of all EU member states.
She added that they expect a common EU position to be reached in the first half of this year.
Some countries are not waiting for Brussels and are taking steps to find a more longterm regular status.
Poland will soon offer a threeyear national temporary residence status to Ukrainians who have had continuous temporary protection for at least a year.
In Czechia, a new special fiveyear residence permit will be available for Ukrainians who have lived there for more than two years and have a job, with compulsory school attendance for their children.
But even Czechia, one of the largest host countries, has made it clear that it will not issue any new temporary residence permits once the war is over, as the interior minister has said.
Other capitals are developing their own plans.
Austria, Italy, Estonia and Latvia are adopting longterm solutions with varying levels of protection.
Germanys Interior Ministry said it has already developed options, but it is up to the next government to decide what proposals will be put forward on the issue, stressing the need for a coordinated European approach.
Background The Romanian government recently extended humanitarian support and assistance for vulnerable individuals who have fled the armed conflict zone in Ukraine until 31 December 2025.
It has also been reported that the authorities in Amsterdam have been forced to turn away Ukrainian refugees in recent weeks due to a lack of available accommodation in the city.
Additionally, it was recently announced that starting from 1 May, Ukrainian military refugees who are not registered residents of the Estonian capital, Tallinn, will no longer have the right to free public transport in the city.
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