EU Plans Tighter Rules for Ukrainian Refugees

According to DPA, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen plans to tighten the rules governing temporary protection for people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

In a letter to EU leaders ahead of the Brussels summit, she said the Commission would propose extending the EU’s temporary protection scheme while narrowing its scope.

The extension should be designed so that it does not undermine Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. Von der Leyen did not specify whether the planned changes would apply differently to men of military age.

The issue was discussed at a meeting of EU interior ministers in early June. Germany and several other member states supported making it harder for Ukrainian men of military age to qualify for protection in the EU. According to DPA sources, a proposal to exclude people aged 23 to 60 received broad support.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had previously called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to tighten exit rules for young men, saying they were needed in Ukraine rather than Germany.

People fleeing Ukraine are currently covered by the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive, which grants them immediate protection without requiring individual asylum proceedings. The scheme is currently in force until 4 March 2027.

(DPA, Max)