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Remarks by Commissioner Brunner on a common European path for the future of Ukrainians in the EU

European Commission

Speech
Jun 4, 2025
Brussels

"Check against delivery"

Good afternoon.

I am very happy to be joined today by Deputy Prime Minister Chernyshov. Thank you Oleksiy for making the journey and for your work to support Ukrainians outside Ukraine, together with the EU.

It has been over three years since Russia launched its war against the Ukrainian people. At the time, we vowed to stand with them for as long as it takes.

That commitment is just as valid today as it was then.

Temporary protection was part of our commitment to Ukraine - an unprecedented measure to show solidarity with the millions of people uprooted by Russia's illegal aggression.

Today's set of proposals is another testament to that commitment.

The current rules on Temporary Protection are set to expire in March 2026.

Therefore, in close coordination with the Member States and with the Ukrainian authorities, we are proposing to extend temporary protection further, until 4 March 2027.

This provides: legal certainty for EU Member States; reassurance to Ukrainians that they do not need to apply for asylum; and avoids risks of overburdening national asylum systems.

We are supporting this extension with funding to the Member States hosting displaced people.

A further €4 billion in Home affairs funds on top of the €15 billion in Cohesion funds already unlocked for this purpose.

After all, hosting 4.3 million people creates challenges, and some Member States have been under particular pressure.

Of course, temporary protection is designed to be temporary - it is in the name.

This is why, as part of today's proposals, we are also putting in place an exit strategy and preparing for displaced people to return to Ukraine, once they are able to, or when temporary protection ends.

This reflects our dialogue with the Member States, with Ukrainian authorities, and with Ukrainians here in the EU.

It is clear that the future of Ukraine depends on getting its people back.

The situation in Ukraine is still volatile, so we need to be flexible.

If a ceasefire is agreed and sustained - something we all continue to hope for, we will need to adapt, there is always the possibility to end temporary protection before 4 March 2027.

In all cases, we are encouraging Member States to start now to help people transition to a national status that better reflects their circumstances.

For example, if they are working, they could be switched to a work visa, or if they are studying, to a student visa .

It is also important to support Ukrainians in their choices.

Ukraine is facing labour market shortages. There are some who are already willing and able to return, and we should support this.

We are asking Member States to help those considering return by supporting exploratory trips, so-called 'go-and-see' visits.

When the time comes to end temporary protection, we also have to be mindful of Ukraine's absorption capacity.

We are therefore asking Member States to put in place voluntary return programmes to allow a staggered and organised return to Ukraine.

That could be over a period of a year after temporary protection ends.

And we are urging Member States to make use of the flexibilities under the rules to make exceptions for vulnerable cases, until their needs can be met in Ukraine, and for families with children in school, to allow them to finish out their school year without disruption.

There will still be a lot of uncertainty for people returning home will look like - from everything to jobs, to housing, to schools.

I will give the floor now to Oleksiy to explain the concept he has put forward to support Ukrainians in their choices: Unity Hubs.

The EU fully supports this initiative, in concrete ways: through the funding I mentioned before.

In addition, I will appoint a Special Envoy for Ukrainians in the EU to work with Member States, with Ukraine and with international organisations to support Unity Hubs.

And the EU's Solidarity Platform on Ukraine will serve as an operational link at technical level

Thank you. Oleksiy, please - the floor is yours.