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The European Union may consider excluding certain categories of Ukrainians — including military-age men and those who left Ukraine irregularly — from the temporary protection scheme introduced after Russia’s full-scale invasion, according to Euractiv.
The outlet reports that the proposal is part of ongoing discussions on extending or revising the directive that allows Ukrainians to live and work across the EU without applying for national asylum systems. Any potential restrictions are expected to apply mainly to new applicants rather than those who already hold protected status.
The European Commission has previously called for preparations for a gradual phase-out of the temporary protection system and a transition toward more stable legal residency frameworks. However, member states remain uneven in their approach to implementing such a transition.
Some EU capitals have expressed concern about the growing share of military-age men among new arrivals, arguing that the issue requires a coordinated EU-wide response. At the same time, officials emphasize that any changes would need to be initiated by the European Commission and agreed upon by member states.
