EU ambassadors have agreed to extend temporary protection for Ukrainians fleeing the war until March 4, 2028, while also introducing stricter conditions for newly arriving Ukrainian men of military age seeking the status.
The decision was approved on July 15 by ambassadors of EU member states and extends the current protection mechanism for another year. The agreement still represents an intermediate stage in the procedure, with the formal adoption expected later in July.
The extension follows a proposal presented by the European Commission on June 26 to prolong the Temporary Protection Directive for Ukrainians who have been forced to leave their country because of the war.
Along with the extension, EU countries agreed on a new rule concerning Ukrainian men of military age who arrive in the bloc after the changes take effect. Unlike before, they will not automatically qualify for temporary protection unless they can prove that they comply with Ukraine’s military service obligations and did not leave the country in order to avoid military duty.
The new condition is aimed at distinguishing between people who need international protection because of the war and those who may have left Ukraine in violation of national military service requirements.
