European Commission Proposes to Extend Temporary Protection for Ukrainians in EU until 2026
The European Commission has proposed to extend temporary protection for people fleeing Russian aggression against Ukraine for another year: from 5 March 2025 to 4 March 2026.
This is stated in a press release from the European Commission published on Tuesday, 11 June.
‘Safe and sustainable conditions for the return of people to Ukraine are not yet in place given the continuing Russian attacks on civilian and critical infrastructure across Ukraine, so the Commission considers that the reasons for temporary protection remain and that it should be extended for another year,’ the statement said.
"The European Commission will present its proposal to the Council of Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs on 13 June. The EU Council will then have to formally endorse the proposal," the European Commission said.
The European Union activated the Temporary Protection Directive on 4 March 2022 by a unanimous decision of the Member States, and it was automatically extended for one year, and then the Council extended it for another year until 4 March 2025.
The Temporary Protection Directive grants Ukrainians the right to residence, access to the labour market, housing, social, medical and other assistance.
It also helps Member States manage the arrival of people in an orderly and efficient manner.
Currently, almost 4.2 million displaced people from Ukraine are enjoying temporary protection in the EU. One third of them are children.