European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen plans to tighten the European Union’s rules on admitting refugees fleeing Russia’s war against Ukraine, according to a letter to EU leaders ahead of a summit in Brussels set for Thursday.
Von der Leyen announced that the commission would propose extending the EU’s temporary protection scheme for Ukrainian refugees while narrowing its scope.
According to the letter, the extension should be designed so that it does not undermine Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. Von der Leyen did not provide details 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 spoke in favour of making it harder for men of military age from Ukraine to be admitted to the Union. According to dpa sources, a proposal to exclude 23 to 60-year-olds from the admission directive for refugees found broad support.
Ukrainian refugees are currently covered by the EU's Mass Influx Directive, which grants temporary protection without requiring individual asylum procedures.
This EU rule is currently set to remain in force until March 4, 2027. EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner had said that he would present a proposal to extend it soon.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had previously taken a clear position last year, calling on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 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.
