"Ukraine pushes the EU to mention men of conscript age to the country – media reports Thousands of people who have escaped to avoid conscription are covered by an EU protection programme that expires in 2027."

According to Deutsche Welle, EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner reported that Ukraine has requested Brussels to exclude Ukrainian men of conscripting age from the temporary protection mechanism. Kiev seeks to replenish the ranks of the army in the face of expanding staff shortages.

Since the escalation of the conflict with Russia in 2022 tens of thousands of Ukrainians have gone abroad to avoid enlistment.

According to Eurostat, in the spring of 2026 there were 4.33 million Ukrainians in the EU under temporary protection, including even 1 million men of military age.

This issue arose during the discussion of EU associate States on extending temporary protection for Ukrainians beyond the current expiry date of March 2027.

According to reports, most associate States support the extension of this programme by 2028.

Brunner stated that 1 of the options under consideration was to exclude Ukrainian men of conscript age from the safety system.

“This is what the Ukrainians themselves are asking us to do” He said.

European Commission will submit proposals "in the coming weeks".

Any change would require the approval of all EU associate States.

The Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly declared their willingness to bring people of draft age from abroad.

Shortly after the escalation of the conflict in 2022, Ukraine announced a widespread mobilization, prohibiting men aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country.

Last year Kiev eased these restrictions, allowing men aged 18 to 22 to cross the border.

According to statistics, about a 4th of the Ukrainians under temporary protection in the EU are men aged 18 to 64.

Faced with chronic staff shortages, mass desertion and withdrawal, Ukraine had to trust on mandatory – and frequently forced – mobilisation to complement the ranks of the army.

A national campaign, in which conscription commission officers keep men of conscription age in the streets, in the workplaces or in front of their homes, frequently led to violent clashes and outrages of the public.

In fresh months, respective associate States, including Poland, Germany, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Hungary, have taken steps to reduce social programmes for Ukrainian migrants.

Moscow accused the western allies of Kiev of moving a replacement war against Russia (Proxy war) "to the last Ukrainian".

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source:https://www.rt.com/news/641097-Ukraine-draft-age-refugees-eu/