Council of European Union extends temporary protection mechanism for Ukrainian refugees until March 2026

BRUSSELS. June 25 (Interfax) - The Council of the European Union said on Tuesday that it was extending the temporary protection mechanism for over four million Ukrainian refugees until March 4, 2026.

Ukrainians who left the country "can continue to count on our solidarity," Belgian Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration Nicole de Moor said.

The Council noted in its communique that the temporary protection mechanism was launched on March 4, 2022.

"The extension decision that was adopted today does not change the decision of March 2022 in terms of the categories of persons to whom the temporary protection applies," the document said.

People with temporary protection enjoy equal rights throughout the European Union, including the right to access labor and housing markets, healthcare, social protection, and education for children.

The EU temporary protection law sets minimal protection standards, while actual assistance may vary from one EU member state to another. "Temporary protection is an EU emergency mechanism which is activated in exceptional circumstances involving a mass influx of refugees," the EU communique said.