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The EU extended protection for Ukrainians, but added a draft catch

Original version ·

Brussels decided Ukrainians can stay in Europe for a couple more years, but new male applicants now need to show their military papers first.

The EU Council formally extended temporary protection for Ukrainians through March 2028, which sounds like great news. But hidden inside the new update is a neat little plot twist.

To get protection status from now on, new male applicants must prove they are compliant with Ukraine's military service obligations. No military documents, no sanctuary.

Anyone who already has active protection in an EU country and hasn't lost it can breathe easy — this rule won't touch them. But for anyone newly arriving and looking to settle down in Europe, the process now starts with getting their military paperwork in order back home.

European bureaucracy just casually turned into the most effective recruitment assistant for Ukraine.

Source: eur-lex.europa.eu

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  1. Hardworking Cossack
    makes sense honestly, you cant hide in the eu forever without keeping your papers straight
    +6 solidA refreshing take that suggests bureaucracy is actually the final boss of the European Union
  2. Stubborn Otaman
    Wait does this mean conscription officers are essentially operating across borders now? wild
    +2 emotionalWatching someone realize that borders are just lines on a map when the state wants its pound of flesh is always entertaining