Ukrainian refugees in the EU may be at risk due to potential ceasefire.

Millions of Ukrainian refugees in the European Union may lose their legal status if a ceasefire is reached in Ukraine. The EU has not yet developed a plan for such a situation. This was reported by Glavkom citing Euractiv.

It is noted that the EU directive on temporary protection has become a lifeline for over 4 million Ukrainians who fled due to the war. It allows EU countries to provide housing, jobs, and access to services for Ukrainians.

However, if a ceasefire agreement is reached in Ukraine, the legal status of refugees may come under threat. Euractiv writes that countries must decide whether to weaken refugee protection measures, offer them integration, or encourage their return home.

The European Commission is already considering the next steps, including the issue of extending protection for refugees. Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan confirmed that his country, along with Germany and the European Commission, is actively participating in developing a joint plan, although specific conditions still need to be discussed.

Any decision regarding temporary protection for refugees will require the agreement of all EU member states. According to Euractiv, the EU Council intends to discuss this issue at the next meeting on internal affairs in June.

Some countries have already taken measures to find a 'more long-term' solution for Ukrainians. In particular, Poland will soon offer a three-year temporary resident status to Ukrainians who have had continuous temporary protection for at least one year.

In the Czech Republic, Ukrainians who have lived there for more than two years and have a job will be eligible for a new special five-year residence permit, with mandatory school attendance for their children. Prague has stated that it will not provide protection to refugees after the war ends.

Other countries are also developing their own long-term plans, including Austria, Italy, Estonia, and Latvia. This issue has also been discussed in Germany, but the next government will make the decision, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

It was reported that the Minister of National Unity Oleksiy Chernyshov stated that after the war ends, 30% of the Ukrainians who left will remain in Europe.

It was reported that the visa-free stay for Ukrainian citizens in Georgia has been reduced from three years to one year.

Incidentally, the Tallinn authorities canceled the decree on free public transport usage for Ukrainian refugees.