Brussels discussed the return of Ukrainians after the end of temporary protection in the EU: ZMINA took part in meetings with the European Commission and EU Special Envoy Ylva Johansson

On 28 October 2025, during a trip to Brussels, Alena Lunova, Advocacy Director of the Human Rights Centre ZMINA, joined a closed round table with Ylva Johansson, EU Special Envoy for Ukrainians, as well as a high-level round table”After Temporary Protection. An exchange with the Special Envoy for Ukrainians, Ylva Johansson,” which was attended by representatives of the European Commission, international organisations, and Ukrainian NGOs, including ZMINA, the Charitable Fund Right to Protection, and the Charitable Foundation Stabilization Support Services.

The event brought together representatives of the European Commission, the governments of Germany, the Czech Republic and Ukraine, as well as civil society and charitable organisations from across Europe.

The European Union is currently preparing an action plan and recommendations for Member States for the period after the temporary protection of Ukrainians ends, which is expected in March 2027. As the EU Special Envoy noted, this process should ensure a smooth transition for Ukrainians to national protection systems in EU countries.

“We are moving from the logic of refugee status to the logic of diaspora. From a reaction to a crisis to long-term responsibility. Ukrainians are fighting not only for themselves, but also for Europe“, Johansson emphasised.

Photo: Ylva Johansson

During the discussions, Alena Lunova emphasised the need to regulate at the national level the status of returnees, as well as to determine mechanisms for recognising documents issued in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

“We must jointly prepare for the moment when Ukrainians begin returning home. To get ready for this, Ukraine and the EU must work together. We have “homework” to do to ensure that those who want to return to Ukraine have the opportunity to do so and do not face obstacles along the way. It is important to resolve issues concerning, for example, residents of the temporarily occupied territories who left the country. Unresolved issues, such as documents issued under occupation or unpredictable liability for collaboration, could turn Ukrainians into refugees in Europe“, said the Advocacy Director of ZMINA.

Photo: Ylva Johansson, Facebook

During these events, the key topic of discussion was the future of Ukrainians after the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD) expires in March 2027, in particular how to create a sustainable model for the residence, integration and return of Ukrainians.

As the participants in the discussion emphasise, EU policy during this transitional period must balance the needs of Ukrainians who remain in Europe with Ukraine’s capacity to reintegrate them. The future of Ukrainians after the end of temporary protection will depend on joint efforts — on how coherently Ukraine and the EU develop this new, long-term strategy.