"We will be on Ukraine's side as long as it takes. The European Commission will propose to expand temporary protection for Ukraine, which is emerging. Our support will be long-lasting. 4 million Ukrainian immigrants are now in the EU and we are happy about that." - Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
As already known, the directive on protection for Ukrainians was planned for 3 years. Therefore, it is logical that EU member states should extend temporary protection to Ukrainians until the end of 2024.
That is, all those who want to remain under temporary protection in an EU country can breathe their last for another year.
But what will happen next, because it is clearly stated that the directive is valid for only three years.
What can Ukrainian refugees expect in 2025?
After the end of temporary protection, Ukrainians will lose access to the rights they currently have. This can put many people in a difficult situation, because many people have nowhere to return to, all their possessions have been destroyed during the war and their houses have been destroyed. In three years, many temporarily displaced persons can build their lives in the country where they are. On the other hand, EU countries can get a lot of people without legal status and governments will have to do something about it.
10-year plan of the European Union
The European Union understands that it may face the problem of displaced people without official status in Europe after the end of the temporary status. Therefore, this issue is already being actively discussed.
EU analysts predict that after the end of the war, the process of reconstruction of Ukraine will take some time. Therefore, temporary protection during reconstruction involves a much longer period, possibly longer than expected.
Also, there is a certain pressure on the countries of Europe that accepted the largest number of refugees, namely Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany. In these countries, there is a shortage of housing, teachers and educators in educational institutions, as well as an overload of the health care system.
If, after the end of temporary protection, the member states of the European Union will make decisions about temporarily displaced persons on their own, then this decision may not necessarily be positive.
A possible option for Ukrainian refugees is international protection
Currently, after the expiration of temporary protection, Ukrainians can receive international protection by submitting an appropriate application for asylum. This status will be an advantage for those who want to stay and live abroad and continue the integration process.
However, the asylum procedure takes time. According to the European Union Agency for Asylum, the number of applications increases every month.
If a person receives international protection and becomes an official refugee, he must fulfill certain obligations, for example, learn the language of the country in which he is. She has the right to stay there for the rest of her life.
However, there is a possibility that a different status will be created for Ukrainians for a long period of time.
Thank you for reading us!
