Meeting on Wednesday 15 July under the Irish Presidency, the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the EU Member States (Coreper) agreed to extend the temporary protection status granted to people fleeing Ukraine until 4 March 2028, in line with the European Commission proposal (see EUROPE B1389719).
As expected, protection will be reserved only for people “complying with their military obligations” in Ukraine. To prove this status, applicants will have to present evidence of compliance, such as a stamped passport showing legal departure or an exemption document. This measure will not apply to people already benefiting from the scheme in the EU.
“The signal is clear: we continue to stand by Ukraine. And as part of our support, we also want to make sure Ukraine can defend itself”, justified Jim O'Callaghan, Irish Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
Activated in March 2022 following the Russian invasion, this emergency mechanism grants harmonised rights relating to housing, work and education to Ukrainians in exile. It currently benefits 4.4 million people.
The Council of the EU must still formally adopt this decision “in the coming weeks”, while maintaining its strategy of a gradual transition towards long-term residence statuses, as defined last September (see EUROPE 13710/16). (Original version in French by Justine Manaud)