European plan for the voluntary return of Ukrainian refugees
The European Commission announced its intention to extend the temporary protection status for Ukrainians fleeing the Russian war until March 4, 2027. This was stated during a press conference held by the EU Commissioner for Migration, Magnus Brunner, and Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov.
Brunner confirmed that the return of Ukrainian refugees should only take place when the situation in Ukraine becomes stable, noting that the Commission will work with member states and Ukraine to determine the timing of that. For his part, Chernyshov emphasized that Ukraine needs a "stable peace," explaining that the country is in urgent need of labor. He said, "If we plan to double the GDP in ten years, we need four million additional workers."
According to data from the European Statistical Office "Eurostat", more than 4.25 million Ukrainians received protection status in the European Union by the end of March, including 81,225 in Austria. In terms of population ratio, the highest number of Ukrainian refugees was received by the Czech Republic, Poland, and Latvia.
The European plan includes the establishment of special information centers in EU countries, where Ukrainians can receive advice, along with the appointment of a special envoy for Ukrainian affairs in the Union. The Commission also seeks to facilitate Ukrainians' access to other types of residence permits, which fall under the jurisdiction of member states.
The commission sees that a large number of Ukrainians with temporary protection have integrated into host communities by learning the language, obtaining jobs, or pursuing education and vocational training.
In the event of the war's end, the plan aims to organize exploratory visits for those wishing to return and launch voluntary return programs in coordination with Ukraine. Information exchange between member states and Ukraine will also be enhanced through what is called the 'Solidarity Platform.'