The European Commission has laid out plans to grant temporary protection to people fleeing war in Ukraine, including a residence permit and access to employment and social welfare.

According to the EU executive, with Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary having land borders with Ukraine, no fewer than 650,000 people have fled there since Russia invaded Ukraine.

Designed to deal with such mass arrivals of displaced persons in the EU, the new legislation would apply in all member states without going through lengthy asylum processes.

The EU said the proposal would be discussed on Thursday by the commission’s interior ministers, who had already given it broad support.

Once adopted, temporary protection would start applying to Ukrainian refugees immediately for one year.

It can last for up to three years unless the situation in Ukraine improves sufficiently for people to go back home and the scheme ends.

“All those fleeing Putin’s bombs are welcome in Europe,” European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said. “We will provide protection to those seeking shelter, and we will help those looking for a safe way home.”

In practice, this means everyone fleeing war in Ukraine, independent of their nationality, should enter EU countries, according to the European Commission.

Temporary protection will then be granted to Ukrainian nationals and those already benefiting from international protection or asylum seeker status in Ukraine.

However, those on short-term stay in Ukraine who can safely return to their country of origin will not benefit from the new legislation. 

(Reuters/NAN)