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EU member states have agreed to extend temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees until March 4, 2028, the Council of the European Union announced.
The additional one-year extension is intended to provide greater certainty and stability for Ukrainians who have sought refuge in the bloc.
Under the new rules, only applicants who comply with Ukraine's military registration requirements will be eligible for temporary protection. The measure applies only to new applications and will not affect Ukrainians who already benefit from temporary protection.
The Council said the provision reflects Ukraine's legitimate need to defend itself against Russia's ongoing aggression.
"This provides stability for those who have found safety in the EU. The message is clear: we continue to support Ukraine. As part of that support, we also want to ensure Ukraine can defend itself," said Jim O'Callaghan, Ireland's Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
Earlier, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O'Flaherty warned against scaling back protection for Ukrainian refugees prematurely, expressing concern over growing pressure on groups such as military-age men and people from relatively safer regions of Ukraine.
