Brussels will exempt Ukrainians from EU asylum rules

Ukrainian refugees will be allowed to live in the European Union without applying for asylum by March 2025, according to plans published by the European Commission on Tuesday.

"We stand behind our words. We have protected those who needed it since the first days of the Russian occupation in Ukraine and we will continue to do so as long as there is a need", said the EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs, Ylva Johansson, in a statement.

Ukrainians who fled the war are excluded from the many asylum procedures applied by EU member states.

They now have access to health benefits, work permits, education and housing.

EU states initially suspended asylum rules for Ukrainians, immediately after the start of Russia's war in Ukraine, in February 2022.

Four million Ukrainians have taken refuge in the European bloc since the start of the war, the European Commission has said.

"This has helped to create a sense of normalcy, despite the time of war. The EU will continue to work with member states and other partners to ensure that those in need are protected," said Johansson.

The decision to exempt them from this rule expires in March 2024. Member countries must approve the extension of the new rule for another year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin calls the war a "special military operation" to demilitarize Ukraine.

As a result of the war, thousands of people have died and millions more have been displaced from their homes. REL