The EU “stands united to save lives,” Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson has said. The number of people fleeing into neighboring countries could run into the millions.

Ukraine: EU agrees protection plan for refugees

The EU “stands united to save lives,” Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson has said. The number of people fleeing into neighboring countries could run into the millions.

The European Union’s interior ministers on Thursday agreed to a scheme offering temporary protection to refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

As of Thursday, over 1 million people have fled Ukraine into neighboring countries, according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, as the Russian war enters its second week.

The UNHCR expects over 4 million people will need protection and assistance due to displacement from Ukraine. The EU’s crisis management commissioner has said the figure could reach 7 million.

The EU Commissioner for Home Affaris Ylva Johansson called the agreement on temporary protection “historic.”

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser called the temporary protection plan “a paradigm shift” for the EU, which has long struggled to reform its asylum rules.

“I hope that there will be this agreement in principle today. I actually assume that,” Faeser said ahead of the meeting, adding that it would then take a week for the proposal to be “set in motion.”

Her French counterpart, Gerard Darmanin, said the proposal could be enacted “in the coming days.”

What is the EU’s plan to offer Ukraine refugees protection?

The European Commission put forward a plan on Wednesday to offer temporary protection to refugees coming into EU countries from Ukraine, waiving lengthy national asylum-seeking procedures.

“All those fleeing Putin’s bombs are welcome in Europe,” EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a press release on Wednesday announcing the move.

The proposal seeks to allow refugees from Ukraine to apply for protection status in any EU member state. They would then be offered temporary residence permits and access to employment and social welfare, among other benefits.

The protection status would remain valid for one year, although it could be extended for two years, based on a decision from the EU member states.

Source: dw.com