EU extends temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 2027

European Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner and Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov stated this, reports European Pravda.

The EU will extend temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens until March 4, 2027. After that, its effect will end, but the European Commission will offer the bloc's states recommendations on further joint actions regarding this.

"As Russia continues its illegal attacks and the situation in Ukraine remains unstable, the Commission proposes to extend temporary protection for people fleeing Russia's aggression against Ukraine for another year – until March 4, 2027," the European Commission told the publication.

European officials noted that the recommendations will be aimed at "meeting the needs of people living in the EU, as well as Ukraine's needs in rebuilding the country, including by supporting safe, voluntary and dignified return and reintegration."

After this, the EU Council must officially approve the proposal to extend temporary protection for a year and the proposal to adopt the EU Council Recommendations. In particular, these recommendations include:

• promoting and facilitating the transition of Ukrainians to other legal statuses: those who have integrated into host societies, learned the language, found a job or received an education should be able to transition to national or European legal status;
• creating voluntary return programs in coordination with Ukrainian authorities to ensure the gradual return of Ukrainians home after the end of temporary protection;
• operating Unity Centers in EU member states;
• coordination and exchange of information between member states and Ukraine through the Solidarity Platform and the Platform for Registration of Persons in Need of Temporary Protection.

On May 5, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated that the temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees in the EU expires in March 2026, therefore the European Union needs to decide on the status of Ukrainians in advance.