Latest news with #EUTemporaryProtectionDirective
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Temporary protection for Ukrainians in EU set to be extended to 2027
The protected refugee status of Ukrainians in the European Union should be extended for another year, the European Commission said on Wednesday. In light of the ongoing war and the volatile situation in Ukraine, the EU's executive body proposed an extension until March 2027. The member states could seal the proposal at a meeting next week. The status of Ukrainian refugees is currently regulated by the EU Temporary Protection Directive. They do not have to go through the usual asylum procedures and have comparatively good access to the labour market and social benefits. According to the commission, over 4.3 million people have fled from Ukraine to the European Union since the start of the war. Germany has taken in the highest number of refugees, with over 1.2 million people. Member states should also prepare for a time when the Ukrainian refugees are able to return home, the commission said. Governments should ensure there are other prospects for Ukrainian nationals, such as in the form of work or student visas. Refugees should also receive more information about return options and be able to visit their home country more easily, the commission stated. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU would support Ukraine for "as long as it takes." "Today, we propose to extend EU protection for Ukrainians fleeing the war," she posted on X. "We're also supporting Ukrainians in their choices and paving the way for their safe return home." Magnus Brenner, the European commissioner for internal affairs and migration, announced the creation of a special EU envoy for Ukrainians. He said that the temporary protection status for Ukrainian nationals could also be terminated before March 2027 in the event of a stable ceasefire. At a press conference, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov encouraged Ukrainians to return to their homeland as soon as conditions allow. "They are very much needed on the Ukrainian labour market to build a new, strong economy," he argued.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EU plans to extend temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 2027
The European Union plans to extend temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 2027 at the meeting of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council, scheduled to take place in Luxembourg on 12-13 June. Source: Vsevolod Chentsov, Ukraine's Ambassador to the EU, as reported by European Pravda Details: Chentsov stressed that the current temporary protection mechanism for Ukrainians in the EU will be extended until March 2027. "We expect the EU Council to extend temporary protection for Ukrainians, and we assume that this extension will be until March 2027," he said. Chentsov noted that the European Commission's decision was influenced by "the security situation in Ukraine, which, unfortunately, is not improving". Quote: "It is important to consider that about half of the Ukrainians under temporary protection in the EU are women, and around a third are children, that is, vulnerable categories. The EU, the European Commission and the member states are treating this situation responsibly." Details: Chentsov said that discussions are ongoing in the EU about what to do in two years when the directive on temporary protection expires. He also reported that next week, Oleksii Chernyshov, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for National Unity, will visit Brussels for talks with Magnus Brunner, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, as well as with other European officials specifically on "finding a common approach to this issue". "We will raise the question of how the European Commission and the member states will support the return of our citizens – those who are ready to return – if the security situation allows," Chentsov said. Following consultations with the Ukrainian side, the European Commission is expected to communicate its vision of how the EU Temporary Protection Directive might conclude after March 2027. Background: The EU Council previously extended temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 2026. As of 31 March 2025, just over 4.26 million people who are not EU citizens and fled Ukraine due to Russia's full-scale invasion were granted temporary protection in the European Union. Earlier, it was reported that the EU is also considering the possibility of granting them other statuses to extend their stay in the European Union. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Irish Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Buses and taxis for international protection applicants cost €12 million
More than €12 million has been spent transporting international protection applicants to accommodation centres throughout the country since February 2022, new figures have revealed. The cost relates to bus and taxi services used to transport asylum seekers from their point of arrival in the country to accommodation centres. More than 89,500 beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) have been provided with accommodation by the state during the period. Almost 24,300 of those are currently in state-supported accommodation, while around 38,000 are in accommodation with hosts in receipt of the Accommodation Recognition Payment. A total of €4.12 million was spent on transport for BOTPs in 2022 following the activation of the EU Temporary Protection Directive in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The directive places obligations on EU member states regarding services and entitlements that must be provided to those seeking temporary protection. The transportation bill increased to a peak of €4.75 million during 2023, but fell significantly to €2.43 million last year. A further €770,000 has been spent on buses and taxis for BOTPs to date in 2025. The figures were published by Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan in response to a parliamentary question from independent TD Carol Nolan this week. 'The Irish State and the Irish people have responded with exceptional support and generosity since 2022 in supporting people seeking temporary protection here from the war in Ukraine,' he said. A total of 116,040 people have been granted temporary protection in Ireland since 2022, which Mr O'Callaghan said was 'an important demonstration' of solidarity with Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian aggression. '[BOTPs] hold temporary permission to remain in Ireland, and this permission is renewable on an annual basis as long as the directive remains in force,' he explained. 'Under the directive, those fleeing the war against Ukraine are entitled to apply for temporary protection in any member state and to move from one member state to another.' The Department of Justice is currently in the process of renewing BOTPs' permission to remain, requiring applicants to prove that they are currently residing in Ireland. 'It is envisaged that this project will be concluded later this year and, once completed, I will be in a position to outline the total number of BOTPs who are currently resident in the state,' said Mr O'Callaghan. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has estimated that around 75 percent of those granted temporary protection are still in the country, based on activity associated with their PPS numbers.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
EU has no clear plan for Ukrainian refugees in the event of ceasefire
Millions of Ukrainian refugees in the EU may be at risk of losing their legal status, as there is no clear plan to allow them to stay after a ceasefire with Russia. Source: European Pravda with reference to an article by Euractiv Details: Since Russia's invasion in February 2022, the EU Temporary Protection Directive has become a legal lifeline for almost 4.3 million Ukrainians. It allows EU countries to grant the right to live, work and access services to Ukrainians, most of whom have settled in Poland, Germany, Czechia and Slovakia. However, as the ceasefire talks continue, this safety net could be disrupted. A ceasefire may change the scenario overnight, and host countries will be forced to decide whether to roll back protection, insist on integration or push refugees to return home. Last year, EU governments agreed to extend temporary protection until March 2026, going far beyond the original scope of a two-year protection period with a possible one-year extension. Any extension will be granted on a year-to-year basis. The levels of protection also vary from country to country. Each EU country interprets the directive somewhat differently in its national legislation, which means that Ukrainians are treated differently depending on where they settle. The European Commission said it has begun considering the next steps, including whether or not to extend temporary protection, help people transition to national status for work, study or family reunification, and support those who decide to return to Ukraine. Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakušan confirmed that Czechia, along with Germany and the European Commission, is actively involved in formulating a joint response during the Polish presidency of the Council of the EU. "But the specific conditions are yet to be negotiated," Rakušan said. As Euractiv has learned, the EU Council is due to consider the issue at its next meeting of interior ministers in June. Czech Interior Ministry spokeswoman Hana Malá confirmed that any decision to end temporary protection will require the agreement of all EU member states. She added that they expect a common EU position to be reached in the first half of this year. Some countries are not waiting for Brussels and are taking steps to find a "more long-term regular status". Poland will soon offer a three-year national temporary residence status to Ukrainians who have had continuous temporary protection for at least a year. In Czechia, a new special five-year residence permit will be available for Ukrainians who have lived there for more than two years and have a job, with compulsory school attendance for their children. But even Czechia, one of the largest host countries, has made it clear that it will not issue any new temporary residence permits "once the war is over", as the interior minister has said. Other capitals are developing their own plans. Austria, Italy, Estonia and Latvia are adopting long-term solutions with varying levels of protection. Germany's Interior Ministry said it has already developed options, but it is up to the next government to decide what proposals will be put forward on the issue, stressing the need for a coordinated European approach. Background: The Romanian government recently extended humanitarian support and assistance for vulnerable individuals who have fled the armed conflict zone in Ukraine until 31 December 2025. It has also been reported that the authorities in Amsterdam have been forced to turn away Ukrainian refugees in recent weeks due to a lack of available accommodation in the city. Additionally, it was recently announced that starting from 1 May, Ukrainian military refugees who are not registered residents of the Estonian capital, Tallinn, will no longer have the right to free public transport in the city. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
