EU Set to Extend Temporary Protection for Ukrainians Until March 2027, Says Ukraine’s Ambassador to the EU
The European Union is preparing to extend the temporary protection framework for Ukrainian refugees until March 2027, according to Vsevolod Chentsov, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the EU. This announcement comes ahead of the upcoming Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting scheduled for June 12-13 in Luxembourg, where the extension will be formally discussed and expectedly approved.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to European Pravda.
Ambassador Chentsov underscored that the continuation of this protective mechanism reflects the EU’s commitment to safeguarding millions of Ukrainians displaced by the ongoing Russian aggression, which shows no signs of abating.
“We anticipate that the EU Council will prolong the temporary protection directive for Ukrainians, most likely extending it until March 2027,” Chentsov stated in an exclusive interview.
The ambassador emphasized that the deteriorating security situation in Ukraine remains a critical factor shaping the European Commission’s approach. “The escalation and persistence of hostilities make it imperative that temporary protection remains in place,” he explained.
Highlighting the human dimension of the crisis, Chentsov noted that roughly half of those under temporary protection are women, and nearly one-third are children – populations particularly vulnerable to displacement and upheaval. “The EU institutions and member states are fully aware of these vulnerabilities and continue to address them with the necessary responsibility and care,” he added.
Looking ahead, discussions are underway within the EU on the post-2027 framework for Ukrainians currently residing under temporary protection. Ukraine’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister for National Unity, Oleksiy Chernyshov, is slated to visit Brussels next week to engage in high-level talks with European Commissioner for Home Affairs Magnus Brunner and other officials. The goal is to seek a coordinated, sustainable approach to the evolving situation.
Following consultations with Ukrainian authorities, the European Commission is expected to communicate its strategy for the eventual conclusion or transformation of the temporary protection scheme beyond March 2027.
As of March 31, 2025, more than 4.26 million individuals fleeing the conflict in Ukraine hold temporary protection status across the EU – a testament to the scale of displacement caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion.
As The Gaze reported earlier, the Government of Ukraine and the Council of Europe Development Bank have signed a €50 million loan agreement to provide housing for internally displaced persons (IDPs).