Ukraine War25 June, 20262 min read
European Commission Proposes Excluding Fighting-Age Men From Ukraine Refugee Temporary Protection Until March 4, 2028
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European Commission extends Ukraine temporary protection to March 2028. Excludes newly arrived fighting-age Ukrainian men from temporary protection.
EU targets conscription-age men
The European Commission proposed extending temporary protection for people fleeing the war in Ukraine until March 4, 2028 while excluding newly arrived men of fighting age who have “military obligations” and therefore “aren’t allowed to leave Ukraine.” POLITICO reported that Swedish Migration Minister Johan Forssell said a ministerial discussion earlier this month showed “strong support” for plans to exclude fighting-age men from the scheme. The Commission’s plan would extend the status until March 4, 2028 but bar those with “military obligations,” while Ukraine bars men aged 25 to 60 and men aged 23 to 25 from leaving the country.
Euronews said the measure is intended to bolster Kyiv’s armed forces and would exclude “persons who cannot legally leave Ukraine due to their military obligations,” which in practice means the exclusion of all men aged 23 to 60. The Commission framed the proposal as aiming to “reconcile the protection needs with Ukraine’s overall ability to defend itself against Russia’s illegal war of aggression.”
Rights groups and politicians push back
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty warned against a “wholesale rejection” of conscription-age men and told POLITICO that “what we need is a one-by-one consideration of every man’s case.” Euronews reported that the exclusion follows pressure from several EU member states to tighten temporary protection rules, citing integration challenges and Ukraine’s need for additional military personnel. Danish policy is moving in parallel, with the Kyiv Independent reporting that Denmark will not grant refugee protection to Ukrainian men aged 23 to 60 who are not exempt from military service.
The Kyiv Independent quoted Danish Immigration Minister Morten Bødskov saying, “Denmark stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in their fight for freedom.” It also said O’Flaherty criticized blanket exclusions as risking human rights violations and added that “issues related to conscription, including conscientious objection, can raise legitimate protection claims.”
What happens next for refugees
Euronews said individuals who have already been granted temporary protection will not be stripped of their status “regardless of their age,” while the proposal would apply to new applicants. The Commission’s plan requires approval by EU countries by qualified majority, with at least 15 out of 27 states representing at least 65% of the total EU population in favour, Euronews reported. Euronews also said Frontex data show almost 1,000 people illegally crossed the Ukrainian border into the EU this year and over 10,000 did so in 2025.
“No one should be forced to take up arms if they cannot reconcile that with their conscience.”
In Germany, DIE WELT reported that Green party politician Anton Hofreiter rejected the EU Commission’s approach and said, “No one should be forced to take up arms if they cannot reconcile that with their conscience.” DIE WELT added that under the Commission’s plan, men between 23 and 60 years old are subject to an exit ban in Ukraine and, if they reach the European Union, they would have to apply for asylum.