EU Adviser Lodewijk Asscher Proposes Extending Special Status for Ukrainian Refugees

EU adviser Lodewijk Asscher advocates extending the special status that Ukrainians have if they have fled to the European Union. In a report, he proposes extending that status by the time it takes to rebuild Ukraine after the war. That may be ten years, writes Asscher.

The former PvdA leader and deputy prime minister was appointed a year ago by the European Commission to advise on the reception and integration of Ukrainian refugees. He will present a report on this tomorrow. In the document, he calls the creation of the special status for Ukrainians, in March 2022, “the most important decision taken by the European Council”.

The measure gives Ukrainians a special residence status. They can stay in the European Union without having to apply for asylum. The government of the country where they want to settle is responsible for their accommodation. Ukrainian refugees are also allowed to work in the EU due to their status and are entitled to social assistance.

Ukrainians were previously allowed to travel freely in the EU without a visa for 90 days, but due to the outbreak of war, the EU countries decided to come to the new directive.

“The Russian invasion of Ukraine has presented Europe with a major challenge: international principles and European values, such as sovereignty, democracy and the rule of law, are directly at stake. As the war enters its second year, its outcome will determine our future writes Asscher in his report.

“It is not only the weapons on the frontline that speak for justice and a perspective for the future, but also the way the European Union is dealing with the largest number of refugees from Europe since the Second World War. No country in the EU can afford to look away, because this time we are the region where the conflict is taking place.”

The measure for the special status of Ukrainian refugees will run until March 2025. Now that it is clear that the war can go on for a long time, Asscher believes it is necessary to look further ahead and extend the measure.

If it is up to him, refugees will also receive more help to find suitable work, so that talent is not lost. According to Asscher, their children should be helped to integrate better, for example by having them participate more often in regular education. Schools in the Netherlands are already struggling with this now that the stay of Ukrainian children is taking on a long-term character.

Asscher also points out that there is still a lot of EU money available that can be used to help Ukrainians, but that countries and organizations are often unaware of this.

The adviser further warns of “solidarity fatigue”, which the EU should address. “For example, to support Member States in tackling the cost of living and the housing crisis, to avoid the risk of tensions between government and society or the perception of double standards.”