Interior Minister Metnar expects fewer Ukrainian refugees after stricter temporary protection rules

A decision by the EU Council restricting the granting of temporary protection to Ukrainian refugees subject to military service obligations will reduce the number of newly arriving war refugees by tens of percent, according to Czech Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar (ANO). According to the Interior Ministry, 395,366 people currently hold temporary protection in the Czech Republic. Around 800 people arrived over the past week.

The new restrictions, which take effect on Wednesday, will apply only to new applicants for temporary protection. They will not affect people who have already received protection in the EU and are only extending their status. Displaced Ukrainians will have to prove that they meet military service requirements in order to obtain protection. For example, they may present a passport with an exit stamp from Ukrainian authorities showing that they left the country legally, or provide documents proving that they are fulfilling their military obligations or are exempt from them.