The issue of the further legal status of Ukrainian refugees in European Union countries may be addressed soon. Interior ministers from EU member states will meet in June to discuss this important topic, which has sparked much debate and anticipation. This was announced by Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
This is reported by Kyiv24
“The protection of refugees in the EU is in effect until March 2026; of course, we cannot wait until the last minute to see what the situation will be. Discussions are ongoing, but the main discussion will take place in June during the meeting of the Council of Interior Ministers, where Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan will participate. There, I hope a European position will be defined and a solution proposed. We always say that the proposals will depend on the development of the current situation, but we must remember that we need to decide what will happen after March 2026”
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According to Fiala, the Czech Republic has become one of the countries that has accepted the most Ukrainian refugees per capita. Specifically, over 160,000 Ukrainians have already been employed in the country, becoming part of the active integration policy. Considering this, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of determining the legal status of Ukrainian refugees after 2026 to ensure their protection and opportunities for further adaptation.
Establishment of a Unity Center for Ukrainians in the Czech Republic
During the visit of the Presidents of Ukraine and the Czech Republic, a joint declaration was signed regarding the establishment of a Unity Hub for Ukrainians in the Czech Republic. The document was signed by Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov and Czech First Deputy Prime Minister Vít Rakušan.
According to the press service of the President of Ukraine, the main goal of the Center is to support Ukrainians residing in the Czech Republic and facilitate their return to Ukraine. In the facility, citizens will be able to receive informational and consulting assistance on temporary protection, return, and reintegration, as well as access to educational and cultural services. Additionally, the Unity Hub will serve as a platform for the professional development of Ukrainians, particularly through assistance in job searching.
It is noted that there are currently about 600,000 Ukrainians living in the Czech Republic, of which over 390,000 have temporary protection status. Cooperation with other European countries, with which similar declarations have already been signed, including Spain, Germany, and France, is also important.
Overall, in EU countries, about 4.3 million Ukrainian refugees have temporary protection status, and the issue of their legal status remains at the forefront of European policy.