German MP Defends Ukrainians' Right to Refuse Service

Anton Hofreiter, a politician from Germany's Green Party and chairman of the Bundestag's Committee on European Affairs, criticized the European Commission's plans to limit temporary protection for newly arrived Ukrainians of military age.

He emphasized, according to European Pravda, citing NTV, that he defended the right to refuse military service on grounds of conscience. He added that no one should be forced to take up arms against their will and convictions.

He was responding to a proposal by the European Commission to extend temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees in the EU until March 2028, while at the same time ending its automatic granting to newly arriving Ukrainian men of military age. Under the proposal, they would instead have to apply for asylum.

Magnus Brunner, the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, defended this move by citing the need to balance the protection of individuals with Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russian aggression.

The directive guarantees residence permits, social rights and access to the labor market for more than 4.33 million people currently in the EU.

In addition to the German Green Party, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O'Flaherty also strongly objected to the restrictions.

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