EU discusses excluding Ukrainian men of military age from temporary protection program

European Union member states have begun discussing possible changes to the temporary protection mechanism for Ukrainians, introduced after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Among the options under consideration is the exclusion of men of military age from those eligible to receive this status if the program is extended.

This was reported by Euractiv, citing an internal Council of the EU document.

The matter concerns the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD), which allows Ukrainian citizens to reside, work, study, and receive social support in EU countries without going through standard asylum procedures. The mechanism is currently in effect until March 2027.

According to the Council of the EU document reviewed by the outlet, one option being discussed is extending temporary protection to a narrower group of people — in particular, by “excluding men of military age” or individuals who left Ukraine on illegal grounds. The potential changes may apply specifically to new applicants who seek this status in the future.

The document states that the governments of several countries have expressed concern over the growing share of men of military age arriving from Ukraine. Several states also argue that the mechanism should be revised “in the interests of Ukraine” — both to support its resistance to Russian aggression and to facilitate the country’s future reconstruction.

The future of the temporary protection mechanism will be discussed by migration ministers this week during a meeting of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council. They are expected to issue political recommendations on next steps.

As of March 2026, 4.33 million Ukrainians held temporary protection status in EU countries. The largest numbers were in Germany (1.27 million), Poland (961,405), and the Czech Republic (379,820). Ukrainians account for more than 98% of all temporary protection recipients in the European Union. Among them, 43.3% are women, 30.1% are children, and 26.6% are men.

The EU’s special representative for Ukrainians, Ylva Johansson, previously stated that “it does not look entirely logical that many men of military age, who are not allowed to leave Ukraine, simply by crossing the border — possibly even illegally — immediately receive temporary protection.” She called this “a contradictory signal that Europe is sending to Ukraine.”

Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, for its part, noted that deportation from Germany and other EU countries is possible only on the basis of decisions by local authorities, and not by Ukraine itself.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the competent services of Ukraine and Germany should deal with those who left the country illegally.

“As for these people, our Armed Forces would like them to return… Because it is a matter of justice. We have warriors at the front, and they need rotations,” Zelensky said.