The European Union has agreed to extend temporary protection for people fleeing Russia’s war against Ukraine until March 4, 2028, while introducing a new requirement that future applicants must comply with Ukraine’s military obligations.According to an official statement on the European Council’s website, EU member states agreed on Tuesday, July 14, to extend their support for Ukraine “for as long as it takes” while acknowledging Kyiv’s need to defend itself against Russia’s full-scale invasion.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.The new restriction will apply only to new applicants for temporary protection and will not affect the more than four million Ukrainians already benefiting from the scheme across the EU.Under the updated rules, displaced Ukrainians seeking temporary protection will have to prove they have complied with Ukraine’s military obligations.This may include presenting a passport bearing an official Ukrainian exit stamp confirming they left the country legally or providing paper or electronic documents confirming exemption from or compliance with military service requirements.“We remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine against Russia’s illegal war of aggression,” said Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan, whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU.He said extending the protection scheme by another year provides stability for Ukrainians who have found safety in the EU while ensuring the framework also respects Ukraine’s “legitimate needs” to defend itself.