EU nations are reportedly reassessing their support for Ukrainian refugees due to rising costs and social tensions.
As the emergency measures used to fast-track asylum for Ukrainians near their end, EU member states will convene to discuss the future of the millions of Ukrainian immigrants currently residing within the bloc, Euractiv reported.
The upcoming Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on June 12-13 is expected to focus on discussions regarding the phasing-out of the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD) and a wider review of the legal status of these immigrants within the EU.
This debate arises as member states grapple with the challenges of accommodating a large influx of Ukrainian immigrants. According to Eurostat, over 4.3 million Ukrainians had been granted temporary protection in the EU as of March 2025.
Despite Brussels’ insistence on continued support, several governments are re-evaluating the extent of assistance they can provide. Germany, home to over 1.2 million Ukrainians, has begun reducing welfare benefits, citing concerns about long-term sustainability.
Poland, a key supporter of Ukraine since the conflict with Russia escalated, has opposed accepting more migrants under the EU’s proposed migration pact. Social tensions are growing within Poland, with some citizens reportedly viewing Ukrainian immigrants as a burden and potential criminals. Government figures indicate that at least 2.5 million Ukrainians live in Poland, constituting nearly 7% of the country’s population.
Brussels activated the TPD shortly after the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in early 2022. Introduced in 2001, this directive offers a range of benefits, including residence permits, housing, access to employment, education, healthcare, financial aid, and social services. While initially set to expire in March 2025, the scheme has been extended until March 2026.
According to Euractiv, talks regarding potential exit strategies for immigrants are gaining traction due to a “shifting geopolitical landscape.” The European Commission is reportedly evaluating the legal framework, with a new proposal anticipated on Wednesday.
Over 6.3 million Ukrainian immigrants have been registered across Europe, with an additional 560,000 residing outside the continent as of April, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
“We are already on thin ice with the latest extension. A straightforward interpretation of the directive would mean that after three years it would lose its validity,” Martin Wagner, Senior Policy Advisor at the International Center for Migration Policy Development, stated last month.
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