BRUSSELS, Belgium, June 4, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - The European Commission on 
Wednesday proposed extending Ukrainian refugees' right to stay in the EU for 
another year -- while for the first time stating clearly that their special 
status will at some point end.

The commission said that the protections granted by the 27-nation bloc 
following Moscow's February 2022 invasion -- currently benefiting 4.3 million 
Ukrainians -- should be rolled over until March 4, 2027.

At the same time, it called for member states to begin "paving the way for a 
transition out of temporary protection once the necessary conditions are 
met".