In reality, Europe prepared recommendations on determining a new legal status for Ukrainians to continue their stay in Europe or safely return home after the war ends. The adopted recommendations are not yet a law, but only an action plan for EU member states. At least until 2027, Ukrainians will continue to remain in the EU under the conditions of temporary protection, provided for by a previous decision made in Brussels.
«The EU cancels the program for accepting refugees from Ukraine», «Europe closes the door», «change of course» is how Russian propagandists describe the plan for a gradual exit from temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees, which the EU Council adopted on September 16.
In reality, these sensational headlines refer to moderate and sustainable recommendations that do not drastically change the status of Ukrainians in Europe. The aim of the plan — which, by the way, has not yet been adopted as a law — is to provide Ukrainian refugees with the opportunity to gradually return home. And for those who do not want to or cannot return, to prepare procedures for transferring to other legal residence statuses. For example, those who have a high-paying job, studies or family ties in the country will be able to stay in the EU — the procedure for issuing residence permits will be determined separately by each country later. In addition, together with the Ukrainian government, Europe will launch a program of temporary exploratory visits to Ukraine. Displaced people will be able to make such trips without losing their temporary protection. The EU Council is also working on setting up Unity Hubs, where Ukrainians will be provided with all the necessary information, help with documents and finding a job both in the country of residence and in Ukraine. «It is common sense to prepare for the day when the situation allows for the Ukrainian people to return home to help rebuilding their country», Kaare Dybvad Bek, Danish Minister for Immigration and Integration, commented on the initiative. As of now temporary protection for Ukrainians is valid until March 4, 2027: the program has been in effect since February 2022 and guarantees Ukrainians abroad access to labor markets, housing, social assistance and education, as well as the right to medical care. However, the temporary protection status can be extended or terminated prematurely in the event of a «just peace» being achieved.
Similar fakes about an alleged sudden change in status for Ukrainian refugees in the EU have been spread by Russia almost since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, but their dramatic predictions are yet to come true. More on this in the stories Manipulation: Norway Stopped Aid to Ukrainian Refugees, Fake: Germany to Introduce Serious Financial Restrictions for Ukrainian Refugees and Manipulation: Ukrainian Refugees Evicted From Social Housing in France — Le Monde.
