EU Will Not Grant Protection to Ukrainians Evading Service – Preliminary Decision
EU ambassadors agreed to extend temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 2028, but new arrivals who are military-aged and have not fulfilled service obligations will not be eligible. The restriction applies only to new applicants.
EU ambassadors have reached a preliminary agreement to extend temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees, but with new restrictions for military-age men. The protection will be extended until March 4, 2028, but new applicants who have not fulfilled their military service obligations in Ukraine will not be eligible.
The restriction applies only to new applicants, not to those who already have temporary protection status in the EU. To prove eligibility, applicants will need to show a passport with a Ukrainian stamp confirming legal border exit, or a paper or electronic document verifying compliance with military service requirements.
The decision is not final; formal approval is expected later in July. Earlier in June, the European Commission proposed extending the Temporary Protection Directive for another year.
The move reflects the EU's attempt to balance the need to protect displaced persons with Ukraine's defense needs against Russia's illegal aggression.
