Ukraine wants citizens to return home after EU protection ends, minister says

Ukraine’s government has said it wants to ensure its citizens currently living in EU countries under temporary protection are able to return home once the scheme ends, potentially after March 2027.

The statement was made by Ukraine’s Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity, Denys Uliutin, following a meeting with EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

Uliutin said Kyiv is seeking to avoid a legal vacuum for Ukrainians abroad and stressed the need for a coordinated approach across EU member states regarding their status.

“Our position is clear: we want Ukrainians to return home, but this must be a voluntary and informed decision,” he said. “The key factor in making that decision remains security, which depends on the situation on the ground and on our Armed Forces.”

The minister also highlighted the importance of collecting data on vulnerable groups among Ukrainians living abroad, saying it is necessary for planning return policies and preparing communities inside Ukraine.

The issue comes amid broader policy adjustments, including Kyiv’s recent decision to lift a ban on women officials travelling abroad, although some restrictions remain in place. Tax status for Ukrainians abroad is also increasingly under scrutiny, with authorities determining obligations based on actual residence, work location and family ties rather than citizenship alone.

By Aghakazim Guliyev