Key facts
- UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner Kelly Clements advised that any changes to the EU's temporary protection scheme for Ukrainian refugees should be implemented gradually.
- Clements stated that the war in Ukraine has not abated and has become more intense, with civilians caught in the middle.
- Some EU countries, including Poland and Germany, are reportedly pushing to exclude Ukrainian men of conscription age from the scheme.
- The current EU protection scheme provides refuge for 4.37 million Ukrainians.
- EU home affairs ministers have held initial discussions about potentially narrowing the scheme, with a proposal to exclude Ukrainian men aged 23 to 60 who are eligible for military service gaining traction.
Kelly Clements, the UN's Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, has urged the European Union to implement any changes to its temporary protection scheme for Ukrainian refugees "very gradually." Her comments come as some EU member states, including Poland and Germany, reportedly consider excluding men of military age from the scheme.
Clements emphasized that the war in Ukraine has not subsided and has intensified, with more civilians caught in the crossfire. She argued that the conditions necessitating the EU's protection measures largely persist. The current scheme, established in response to Russia's 2022 invasion, offers refugee-like protection to 4.37 million Ukrainians without requiring them to apply for asylum.
EU home affairs ministers have initiated discussions on potentially narrowing the scheme, with a proposal to exclude Ukrainian men aged 23 to 60 who are eligible for military service reportedly gaining traction. While most Ukrainian men in this age group are currently barred from leaving Ukraine, certain exemptions exist. Clements expressed hope that temporary protections could remain in place until the war ends, allowing refugees to support themselves and easing the burden on host nations. She stressed that any lifting of protections should be gradual and accompanied by alternative support options for those unable to return safely or voluntarily.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had previously communicated to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy the need to reduce the number of young Ukrainian men in Germany, stating they were needed in their home country. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has also noted a recent increase in Ukrainians of compulsory military age within Germany.