EU plans would extend right for 4m Ukrainians to stay in bloc until 2027

European Commission also called for voluntary return schemes to support people wishing to go back to Ukraine

Temporary protection status for Ukrainians who fled in February 2022 could be extended by a year. File  photo

The European Commission has said more than four million Ukrainians living in the EU should have their right to stay extended until March 2027, while calling for efforts to promote voluntary returns to their home country.

Temporary protection status for Ukrainians who fled after Russia’s full-scale invasion of February 2022 would be extended by one year until March 2027, under a European Commission proposal published on Wednesday.