Kyiv asks EU to exclude Ukrainian men of military age from refugee protection program

Ukrainian authorities have asked the European Union to exclude Ukrainian men of mobilization age from the temporary protection directive.

This was stated by EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner following a meeting of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg. His words were reported by Deutsche Welle.

Commenting on the possible exclusion of Ukrainian male citizens aged 23 to 60 from the temporary protection regime, Brunner pointed directly to the initiative coming from the Ukrainian side.

“This is also what the Ukrainians are asking us to do,” the commissioner said.

EU member states broadly support extending temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens until March 2028. At the same time, according to Cyprus Deputy Minister for Migration Nicholas Ioannides, many countries are in favor of excluding Ukrainian men of mobilization age from the scope of this measure.

Other participants in the discussions clarified that the proposal applies only to new applicants for temporary protection. Men already residing in the European Union would not be affected by the proposed changes.

In the coming weeks, the European Commission will present specific proposals on the future format of temporary protection for Ukrainians. These will then need to be approved by EU member states by a qualified majority vote.

Two years ago, voices within the EU were already expressing the view that Ukraine should take the initiative to bring men of conscription age back home from abroad.