Ukrainian refugees may stay in Europe forever, - The Economist
Date: 2025-03-28 Author: Кирило Загоруйко Categories: COMMUNITY
Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine has been going on for more than three years. The likelihood that Ukrainian refugees will stay in Europe forever is growing.
According to The Economist, more and more people in Poland are seeking advice on obtaining a permanent residence permit or Polish citizenship. Polish language courses are very popular.
The EU currently has a "temporary protection" scheme. It offers 4.3 million Ukrainian refugees access to housing, employment and benefits. This scheme is due to end in March next year. Regardless of whether the program is extended, Ukrainians are increasingly abandoning the idea of returning to their homeland.
According to a recent study by the Ukrainian Center for Economic Strategy, only 43% of refugees from Ukraine around the world plan to return. Two years ago, the figure was 74%.
"For many, it is not only when the war will end that matters, but also how. The growing prospect of a ceasefire without Ukraine's membership in NATO or the EU, as well as Russia's ongoing occupation of a fifth of the country, do not inspire much confidence. Many Ukrainians fear that Russia will soon attack again," the article says.
The bulk of refugees from Ukraine are women. But the likelihood is growing that even more people will leave the country after martial law is lifted - especially men of military age, who are currently unable to leave the country. According to the Center for Economic Co-operation, we are talking about 500,000 men. For the Ukrainian labor market and its ability to defend itself, such an outflow could be catastrophic. Therefore, the lifting of martial law may not happen immediately.
