European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is planning to tighten European Union rules on admitting refugees fleeing Russia’s war against Ukraine, says a letter sent to EU leaders ahead of a summit in Brussels.
Von der Leyen announced that the European Commission would propose extending the EU’s temporary protection scheme for Ukrainian refugees while narrowing its scope, dpa reports.
According to the letter, the extension should be designed in a way that does not undermine Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. However, no further details were provided on the planned changes, including whether military-age men would face different rules in the future.
At a meeting of EU interior ministers in early June, Germany and other member states expressed support for making it more difficult for men of military age from Ukraine to be admitted to the EU. According to DPA sources, a proposal to exclude 23- to 60-year-olds from the admission directive for refugees received broad backing.
Ukrainian refugees are currently covered under the EU’s Mass Influx Directive, which grants temporary protection without requiring individual asylum procedures.
The directive is currently set to remain in force until March 4, 2027. EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner has said he plans to present a proposal for its extension in the near future.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had previously taken a clear position on the issue, calling on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to impose stricter exit rules for young men.
“I asked him to ensure that these young men stay in the country because they are needed in the country and not in Germany,” Merz said at the time.
By Vafa Guliyeva
