The EU is considering excluding Ukrainian men of draft age from the expanded protection scheme: what is known
1 June 10:21
The EU is considering whether to exclude Ukrainian men of draft age from any future extension of the bloc’s temporary protection scheme, which has provided refuge to more than four million people fleeing Russia’s military aggression. This is reported by "Komersant Ukrainian", citing Euractiv.
This proposal arose during discussions on the future of the EU Temporary Protection Directive, which allows Ukrainians to live and work throughout Europe without having to apply to national asylum systems. The scheme, activated following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, is currently in effect until March 2027.
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According to an internal EU Council document reviewed by Euractiv, options under discussion include extending temporary protection while narrowing its scope, specifically by “excluding men of conscription age” or individuals who left Ukraine illegally.
Any such restriction would apply to new applicants seeking temporary protection.
Last year, the European Commission urged national capitals to prepare for the program’s eventual phased-out termination. In 2024, it adopted recommendations for a “coordinated transition” to more stable legal statuses, but progress has been uneven so far.
Some national governments have expressed concern that “a growing proportion of recent arrivals from Ukraine consists of men of conscription age,” while several countries argue that the system should be reviewed “also in the interest of Ukraine,” both to support the country’s resistance against Russia and to facilitate future reconstruction efforts, the document states.
Ukraine has faced a growing labor shortage and recruitment challenges as the war with Russia enters its fifth year. In 2024, Ukraine lowered the age of conscription from 27 to 25 and introduced measures to improve recruitment and military registration.
The future of this system will be discussed by migration ministers at this week’s Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting, where they are expected to provide political guidance on next steps. Any future extension or revision must be proposed by the European Commission.
The Commission has not yet indicated whether it will formally propose another extension. When asked about this, a Commission spokesperson stated that negotiations with national governments regarding the initiative are ongoing.
As of March 2026, 4.33 million Ukrainians had temporary protection status in the EU, with the largest numbers hosted by Germany (1.27 million), Poland (961,405), and the Czech Republic (379,820).
They accounted for over 98% of all beneficiaries. Among them, 43.3% were women, 30.1% were children, and 26.6% were adult men.
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