Ukraine asked to exclude draft-age men from EU temporary protection program, commissioner says
Ukraine has asked the European Union to exclude men of military age from the bloc’s temporary protection program for refugees, EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner said at a press conference.
According to him, EU member states support extending temporary protection for Ukrainians through 2028, but are also considering “some changes in scope,” including the possible exclusion of men ages 23 to 60.
“And that is what the Ukrainians are asking us for,” Brunner said.
He said the issue has already been discussed with countries that have taken in large numbers of Ukrainians, including the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, the Baltic states and Austria. A final decision is expected in the coming weeks, the commissioner said.
Earlier, Euractiv, citing an internal European Council document it had obtained, reported that EU countries were considering whether to exclude Ukrainian men of military age from the temporary protection program for refugees if it is extended beyond March 4, 2027.
According to Euractiv, some EU governments raised concerns about the “growing share of men of military age” among newly arrived Ukrainians. During discussions on extending the protection program, a proposal emerged to narrow its scope, including by “excluding men of military age” or people who left Ukraine illegally.
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