Council of European Union extends temporary protection for Ukrainians into 2027

MOSCOW. July 16 (Interfax) - The Council of the European Union has unanimously voted for extending temporary protection for over 4 million Ukrainians who left the country amid the crisis until March 4, 2027, Ukrainian media said, citing the Council press service.

The Polish presidency also initiated the discussion of a strategy for the phased termination of temporary protection after the achievement of fair peace. The elaboration of European decisions in this area will begin shortly, including in the context of return to Ukraine.

"Since March 2022, the EU has provided security and asylum to over 4 million refugees from Ukraine under the Temporary Protection Directive. Temporary protection was due to expire on March 4, 2026, now it will be extended until March 4, 2027. The temporary protection system reduces the pressure on national asylum systems, as persons who qualify for such protection do not need to file individual asylum applications," the media quoted Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak as saying.

"The extension until March 2027 sends a message to displaced persons from Ukraine that they do not need to apply for asylum," he said. "The extension does not changes terms of the decision made in March 2022, regarding the categories of persons who qualify for temporary protection or their rights," he said.