Lithuania introduces restrictions on temporary protection for Ukrainians of military age

Lithuania has extended its temporary protection program for Ukrainian refugees until March 4, 2028, but has simultaneously introduced additional conditions for men of military age.

This was stated in a message from the country’s government.

Under the new rules, Ukrainian citizens subject to military service will be able to enter Lithuania as refugees and receive temporary legal protection only if they have an official document confirming that they left Ukraine legally. A corresponding border control stamp is also a mandatory requirement.

Lithuania is not the only country to have tightened conditions for Ukrainian military-age men. Information emerged earlier that Romania had reduced the provision of protection to Ukrainians who entered the country illegally. The Czech Republic, in turn, denied protection to dozens of military-age Ukrainians following the entry into force of the European Union’s ban on granting them temporary protection status.