EU to Verify Ukrainian Refugees on Military Service Avoidance
Ukrainian refugees entering the EU must now prove they are not evading military service, as new rules from the EU Council came into effect in early August, with national governments determining implementation. The measure applies to all new applicants, including women who are conscriptible.
Consensus
- All new Ukrainian refugees entering the EU must prove they are not evading military service.
- The EU Council's decision on temporary protection came into effect in early August.
- National governments of EU member states are responsible for implementing the rules.
- The rule applies to both men and women who are subject to military service.
- The measure does not apply to Ukrainians who already had temporary protection before the changes took effect.
- The EU has not introduced gender-based distinctions in assessing military service obligations.
- The temporary protection regime for Ukrainians remains in place until 4 March 2028.
Points of divergence
- Ukrainian refugees have been leaving Poland in large numbers, with over 6,000 departing in June; some are moving to Italy, the Czech Republic, and Germany. — vedomosti
- Ukrainian refugees made up over 98.5% of asylum seekers in the EU as of end-June 2026. — vedomosti
- Some EU countries have been refusing asylum to Ukrainian women if they do not provide documents on military service. — vesti
- Ukrainian men of draft age have been systematically expelled from the Czech Republic since 2024. — vm
- There are reports of mobilization plans in Ukraine to recruit up to 40,000 people per month, with abuses reported in Zaporozhye and Kherson regions. — vm
Coverage (5 sources)
- EU will check Ukrainian refugees for army evasion — Коммерсантъ
- Ukrainians in the EU will be checked for evasion of the army — Ведомости
- In the EU, it was stated that Ukrainians are not divided into men and women in the question of asylum — Вести
- Ukrainians in EU will be required to confirm they are not evading the army — Вечерняя Москва
- All Ukrainian refugees in the EU will be required to confirm they are not evading the army when receiving temporary protection, said... — ТАСС (Telegram)
Key entities
- EU
- Marcus Lammert
- European Commission
- European Union
- Brussels
- EC
- EU Council
- Moscow
- Ukraine
- Council
- European Union (EU)
- Ukrainians