"Today the Council adopted a decision extending temporary protection until March 4, 2026 for more than 4 million Ukrainians who are fleeing the Russian aggressor war", the statement said.

They note that the temporary protection mechanism was launched on March 4, 2022 and was supposed to be in force until March 4, 2025. Today's decision merely extends the protection, there are no changes to the categories of people covered.

The temporary protection system reduces pressure on national asylum systems because claims do not need to be processed separately. People benefiting from temporary protection enjoy the same rights across the EU. These include:

• place of residence;
• access to the labor market and housing;
• medical assistance;
• social assistance;
• access to education for children.

The EU Temporary Protection Act sets minimum standards of protection. The actual level of assistance may differ from one member state to another.

• On June 24, it was reported that Germany does not intend to deport Ukrainian refugees who for one reason or another do not go to work.