EU Stance on Ukrainian Refugees
The European Union has no plans to repatriate Ukrainian men of military age who are under temporary protection before 2027. The current rules for this protection will remain in force at least until March 2027, with no changes anticipated in 2026. European Commission spokesperson Markus Lamer emphasized the bloc's unified position:
“Temporary protection is what we have decided at the EU level and at the level of the member states until 2027.” - Markus Lamer
Norway's Proposed Changes
In contrast, Norway has proposed tightening its rules for Ukrainian refugees. The country's Labour government believes it is necessary to amend the current residence regulations. Under Norway's initiative, men aged 18 to 60 would generally no longer be eligible for temporary collective protection, with only limited exceptions. New male applicants of conscription age would not receive residence permits based on group protection but could instead file individual asylum applications under the standard procedure.
Norway has already accepted over 100,000 Ukrainians. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre noted a recent increase in the number of young men arriving from Ukraine, adding that Norway is in contact with Kyiv regarding this matter.
These developments highlight diverging approaches among European nations to managing the refugee situation from Ukraine. While the EU continues its broad temporary protection scheme, Norway appears to be adopting a more restrictive policy toward men of fighting age. This reflects broader European debates about security, resource allocation for refugees, and the ongoing regional impact of the war in Ukraine, which has created the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II.