Ukraine asks EU to exclude military-age men from temporary protection scheme

Ukraine has appealed to the European Union to exclude military-age men from the temporary protection programme for Ukrainians. The move comes on day 1563 of the war and is intended to encourage more men to return home to serve in the armed forces.

Ukraine has submitted a formal request to the European Union to exclude military-age men — typically those aged 18–60 — from the temporary protection scheme available to Ukrainians. Kyiv hopes that such a step will motivate more men to return home and join the armed forces, where the need for personnel is increasingly urgent.

The temporary protection mechanism allows Ukrainian refugees to live and work in the European Union without the need for a standard asylum application. The scheme covers millions of Ukrainians across the EU, including a significant number of working-age men, some of whom have left to avoid military service obligations.

EU member states are divided on the temporary protection issue. Some countries support Ukraine's request and view the exclusion of military-age men from the scheme as a logical step to strengthen Ukraine's defence capabilities. Other member states are more cautious, concerned about human rights implications and practical implementation challenges.

The war in Ukraine has now lasted 1563 days. Ukrainian armed forces are facing sustained pressure on multiple fronts, making the recruitment of additional personnel a strategically important priority for both Kyiv and Western allies.