European Union countries have decided not to support the concept of dividing Ukraine into so-called ‘safe regions’ during discussions on the future mechanism of temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens. Instead, the focus of European leaders has shifted to the possibility of limiting this mechanism for men of conscription age. The relevant changes are contained in an internal document of the EU Council, prepared for consultations with ministers on June 4 regarding the further implementation of the Temporary Protection Directive.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Two scenarios for extending temporary protection for Ukrainians
The document under consideration in the EU offers countries a choice between two main options: to maintain the current approach to temporary protection for all Ukrainians, or to limit its scope, primarily for men of conscription age. It is noted that during the discussions in March 2026, the majority of member states supported the continuation of the existing mechanism, as the reasons for its implementation remain relevant. Temporary protection provides legal certainty for displaced persons and helps avoid overloading national asylum systems.
At the same time, during the discussion, proposals were made to exclude men of conscription age or individuals who left the territory of Ukraine illegally. The option of dividing the country into ‘safe regions’ is no longer considered among possible scenarios. If the changes are adopted, the second option involves limiting the personal coverage of temporary protection, which may affect certain categories of citizens.
Challenges and statistics of temporary protection in the EU
The document states that several member states express concern about the ‘increasing share of newly arrived men of conscription age,’ believing that tightening restrictions could support Ukraine’s defense capability and its future reconstruction. At the same time, the authors of the document emphasize the potential legal risks due to the principle of non-discrimination, as well as the potential increase in pressure on asylum systems and the emergence of different approaches in EU countries.
According to the latest data, 4.33 million Ukrainian citizens are benefiting from temporary protection in the EU. The largest numbers are in Germany (28.7%), Poland (22.3%), and the Czech Republic (9%). As of the end of March 2026, the highest ratio of temporary protection beneficiaries to the population was recorded in the Czech Republic (34.8 per 1000 people), followed by Poland (26.3), Slovakia (26.2), and Cyprus (25.3).
“The EU has demonstrated unprecedented unity and solidarity with Ukraine since the activation of temporary protection. At the same time, a number of member states that have taken in large groups of beneficiaries are increasingly reporting difficulties caused by the protracted conflict, significant financial and social burdens at the national level, as well as changes in the profile of newcomers,” the document states.
It is expected that the issue of the future mechanism of temporary protection will be discussed at the meeting of the EU Council on Justice and Home Affairs on June 4. However, a final decision is likely to be made at the end of June or in July 2026.