Brussels considers ending temporary protection for Ukrainian men of working age

The European Union is considering not extending temporary protection for Ukrainian men of draft age. This would mean the protection of a large portion of Ukrainian refugees in the EU would end, as most of them are men subject to military conscription.

Officials in Brussels are debating a plan that would not renew temporary protection applications for Ukrainian men of draft age. This would mean that many Ukrainian men living in EU member states would lose their current protection status.

Temporary protection has enabled millions of Ukrainian citizens to flee Russia's invasion and find refuge in EU member states. If the plan is implemented, men of working age would be the first whose protection would not be extended – this could affect hundreds of thousands of people across Europe.

The proposal is motivated by a desire to pressure more men to return to Ukraine and participate in the country's defence. Ukraine itself has asked the EU to help bring men back home, as the military needs reinforcements in its ongoing war with Russia.

Critics warn that such a step could violate international humanitarian law and put at risk men who have already lived and worked in EU member states for an extended period. A final decision on whether and how temporary protection rules will be changed has not yet been made.