Millions of Ukrainian refugees who received temporary protection in EU countries may face the threat of losing their legal status.
According to Euroactiv, the European Union does not have a clear plan for the future of the Temporary Protection Directive, under which 4.3 million Ukrainians were allowed to live, work, and access services in the EU.
Some countries have already started making independent decisions on how to handle refugees, as any EU-level actions to extend protection could be politically risky. In the event of a ceasefire in Ukraine, the situation could change, giving host countries the opportunity to relax protection measures, focus on integration, or even push for the return of refugees.
Last year, EU governments agreed to extend the temporary protection program for Ukrainians until March 2026. Originally, it was expected to end in March 2025.
