The European Union will officially extend the temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees until March 4, 2027
This was announced on June 13, when the EU Council adopted a decision to prolong the relevant Directive, which grants Ukrainians temporary legal status in EU countries. This important decision resulted from close cooperation among diplomats and EU institutions, in particular — dialogue among member states that agreed to support the extension of protection to ensure the safety and stability of millions of Ukrainians who have found themselves in the EU due to Russia's military aggression. According to an official statement from the EU Council’s press service, the final decision to extend temporary protection will be officially approved within the next few weeks. Prior to this, technical aspects will be coordinated, including the translation of relevant documents and procedural nuances necessary for the legal formalization of the extension. Specifically, after the temporary status expires, Ukrainians will have two options: either to remain in the host country under the new legal status or to return to Ukraine, receiving the necessary assistance and consultation for a safe and organized return. The discussion of recommendations for further actions after 2027, which also took place during the Council session, considers various scenarios for the future development of the situation. After the temporary protection expires, EU member states will need to take measures for those Ukrainians who remain in the EU or for those planning to return home. The priority is to provide a flexible transition to new legal statuses or necessary social and legal services. It is worth noting that the European Commission also introduced a draft set of recommendations to help member countries better prepare for the end of the temporary protection period. These include, in particular, guidance on transitioning to permanent legal statuses and assistance with the safe return of Ukrainians under suitable conditions. For over a year, more than 4.26 million Ukrainians have been in EU countries — mainly those fleeing due to Russia’s large-scale aggression against Ukraine. Earlier, there were also reports about the possible extension of the temporary protection period for Ukrainians in the EU, including from Ukraine’s ambassador to the EU, Vsevolod Chentsov, who noted that this period could be extended by another year. The EU’s further strategy is logically aimed at creating appropriate conditions to protect and support Ukrainian refugees, taking into account the long-term crisis in the region. Overall, the decision to extend temporary protection marked an important milestone in Ukraine-EU cooperation and confirmed the commitment of European institutions to support Ukrainians in challenging times. Future decisions will continue to be based on technical procedures and recommendations that will help member states and Ukrainians adapt to upcoming changes.