Politico: majority of EU countries oppose stripping Ukrainian men of temporary protection

Most European Union members consider it too harsh to strip Ukrainian men of military age of their right to temporary protection after March 2027.

This is reported by Politico, citing European diplomats.

According to the outlet, two diplomats said the idea of revoking temporary protection status in the EU for Ukrainian men of military age may have originated with Ukrainian authorities, who are facing a shortage of manpower at the front.

While some countries, including Poland, support denying temporary protection to Ukrainian men of military age, several European diplomats told Politico that the majority of EU members view this option as excessively harsh. The very discussion of restrictions on men remains politically sensitive at this stage, the sources noted.

A decision on extending temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees beyond March 2027 is not expected before July, according to the diplomats. The European Commission’s proposal on possible restrictions is due to appear in the coming weeks.

The European Commission previously stated that Ukrainians of military age who have already received protection in the European Union will not lose that status. If restrictions on Ukrainian men of military age are nonetheless introduced next year, they will apply only to those who arrive after March 2027.

Earlier, Deutsche Welle reported that the European Union may extend protection for refugees from Ukraine until 2028.