A debate is gaining momentum within the European Union regarding a review of policies towards refugees from Ukraine. The focus is on Ukrainian men of conscription age seeking temporary protection in Europe. Sweden, one of the EU member states, has taken a hard line, calling for restrictions on entry rights for this category of citizens.
Stockholm's Position: Protection or Obligation?
Swedish Migration Minister Johan Forssell openly stated that men from Ukraine capable of bearing arms should remain in their homeland and participate in the country's defense. In his view, European states must take into account the current military context and the priority of strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities.
Forssell clarified the details of the proposed restrictions: they should apply exclusively to those who are only arriving in the EU and applying for temporary protection status. Those who have already obtained asylum and legal status should not be subject to deportation or loss of rights.
Scale of the Problem and Figures
The situation is exacerbated by a huge influx of refugees. Since the activation of the temporary protection mechanism in 2022, following the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, more than 4 million Ukrainians have resettled in EU countries. According to European institutions, the majority of this population resides in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. The mechanism has provided them with the right to legal residence, employment, and social guarantees.
Balance Between Humanitarian Aid and Security
The statement by the Swedish minister reflects a growing rift within the EU. On the one hand, donor countries continue to provide humanitarian aid to millions of people. On the other hand, there is a growing demand to review approaches to new asylum applications from men of conscription age. The possibility of restricting such applications is being discussed so as not to hinder Kyiv's mobilization efforts.
Alongside the discussion of the status of Ukrainians, the EU is raising the issue of tightening visa policy towards Russian citizens against the backdrop of the ongoing war. However, a unified position on the cancellation or review of temporary protection status for Ukrainians already in Europe has not yet been developed.