EU extends protection for Ukrainian refugees another year
The European Union has decided to extend temporary protection for people who fled Ukraine in the face of Russia's invasion for another year, from March 5, 2025, to March 4, 2026. Currently, 4.2 million Ukrainians benefit from temporary protection in the European Union member states.
The European Union Council, moving quickly, just two weeks after the European Commission presented its proposal, agreed to extend temporary protection for refugees from Ukraine by another year.
This mechanism was activated on March 4, 2022, shortly after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine (Russia attacked on February 24, 2022), and was set to expire on March 4, 2025. Now, it will be in effect for an additional year.
Nicole de Moor, the Belgian Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration, commented on the Council's decision, saying: "Day by day, Russia terrorizes the residents of Ukraine with bomb raids. These are not safe conditions. Those who fled from Russian aggression can still count on our solidarity."
Belgium currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council until the end of June. De Moor added that the decision to extend temporary protection does not affect the provisions regarding who can receive such protection.
Protection in the Union
The directive on temporary protection provides immediate protection and access to rights in the European Union, including the right to reside, access to the labour market, social assistance, and medical assistance. It also supports member states in managing the influx of refugees in an orderly and effective manner. EU law on temporary protection sets minimum protection standards. The actual level of assistance, such as the amount of benefits, may vary depending on the member state.
Temporary protection is a unique mechanism of the European Union that is activated under exceptional circumstances related to the mass influx of refugees. The EU directive on temporary protection was adopted in 2001 after mass displacements caused by armed conflict in the Western Balkans, mainly from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo. However, it was activated for the first time more than 20 years later in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Now, depending on national procedures, some member states may need to adopt additional implementing acts to formalize the extension of temporary protection.
