According to the AFP news agency, around 400,000 Ukrainians have already fled to EU countries. The number is expected to increase, and the EU is now considering giving them residence for up to three years.
“In this historic moment, we have to make the right decision,” Belgian Immigration Minister Sammy Mahdi said.
On Sunday, EU interior ministers met to discuss coordinated measures to deal with the ever-increasing flow of refugees from Ukraine. Since the Russian invasion began on Thursday, about 400,000 Ukrainians have fled to EU countries, according to AFP, about half to Poland.
Status change
Ukrainians with biometric passports are already allowed into EU countries and the Schengen area without a visa and can initially stay for up to three months. EU countries are now discussing granting Ukrainian refugees a protected status that would give them the right to live and work in the EU for three years.
“A large majority of the ministers were in favor of doing this quickly,” French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said.
EU Interior Commissioner Ylva Johansson noted that member states must be ready to offer accommodation beyond the three months and that they must prepare for the potential arrival of millions of refugees from Ukraine.
Since Norway is part of the Schengen co-operation, Ukrainians can, in principle, also use the right of visa-free travel to Norway.
Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
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