EU countries on Wednesday agreed to extend the right for Ukrainians fleeing the war to stay until 2028, but excluded military-age men arriving in the bloc.
The European Union triggered emergency protections for Ukrainians in the wake of Russia's 2022 invasion, giving them the right to live, work and claim benefits in the 27-nation bloc.
As the war grinds on through its fifth year, EU member state ambassadors approved a proposal to prolong those rights until March 2028.
But in a change requested by Kyiv to help it find much needed manpower for the fight, the EU said the move would now not cover those subject to the military draft who arrive in the bloc.
Under Ukrainian war-time laws men aged from 23 to 60 are not allowed to leave the country.
