Ursula von der Leyen is proposing to restrict simplified entry for Ukrainians into the EU, Der Spiegel reports.
According to the outlet, the European Commission president set out the initiative in a letter to the heads of state and government of EU countries ahead of the upcoming summit.
The European Commission is expected to propose extending the temporary-protection regime for people fleeing the war in Ukraine. However, its scope is planned to be limited so that “the extension does not undermine Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.”
Der Spiegel notes that this wording can be interpreted as a signal of a possible tightening of entry rules for working-age men from Ukraine. Von der Leyen, however, did not disclose details of the future proposal.
The outlet also recalls that in early June, Germany and several other EU countries called for tougher entry conditions into the bloc for working-age Ukrainian men.
Currently, according to Der Spiegel, more than 4.3 million Ukrainians have applied for protection in the EU.
Earlier, the European Commission president said that the situation for Ukraine was “changing for the better” and that it was time to double down on support for the country.
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