UNHCR Deputy Chief Kelly Clements said any changes to the European Union's protection scheme for Ukrainian refugees should be implemented very gradually [1].
The warning comes as EU member states discuss modifications to the temporary protection framework. The outcome of these debates could determine whether thousands of refugees maintain their legal status or face abrupt exclusion from essential services.
Clements said the matter during a video interview with Euronews on June 12, 2026 [1]. She said against specific proposals that would target and exclude military-age men from the protection scheme [1].
Such measures would potentially leave a specific demographic of the refugee population without legal standing, a move the UNHCR suggests must be avoided to maintain humanitarian standards [1].
"Any planned changes to EU protections for Ukrainian refugees should be carried out 'very gradually'," Clements said [1].
The agency's position emphasizes the need for stability for those fleeing conflict. Abrupt policy shifts in EU capitals could create legal vacuums for refugees who have integrated into host communities over the previous years [3].
While some member states seek to tighten protections to encourage the return of military-age men to Ukraine, the UNHCR maintains that protections must remain inclusive to ensure the safety and dignity of all displaced persons [3].
“Any planned changes to EU protections for Ukrainian refugees should be carried out 'very gradually'.”
The UNHCR's intervention highlights a growing tension between the humanitarian obligation to protect refugees and the political pressure within the EU to support Ukraine's mobilization efforts. By advocating for a gradual transition, the agency is attempting to prevent a sudden legal crisis that could leave thousands of men undocumented and without access to healthcare or housing within the EU.
