News item | 31-01-2025 | 14:30
As soon as it is safe again in Ukraine, the cabinet focuses on helping displaced people with their return to Ukraine. With this we also meet Ukraine’s wish to rebuild the country with the help of their own citizens in the future. In the coming months, the cabinet will continue to prepare for a return program and also on a national relapse option as long as they cannot go back. That has been agreed in the Council of Ministers.
Minister Faber (asylum and migration): “Hopefully the war in Ukraine will soon be over so that displaced persons can go home again. And as long as being displaced with the Netherlands, the deployment of the cabinet is that they participate maximum, be self -reliant and contribute to costs. ”
Temporary protection guideline
The European Temporary Protection Directive (RTB) which now includes Ukrainian displaced persons, runs until 4 March 2026. Given the uncertain situation in Ukraine, it is still unknown whether this temporary protection will be extended.
The government is therefore preparing for the scenario when the European temporary protection stops. With the most important components: return and a national relapse.
Voluntary return
The RTB offers an opportunity to set up a voluntary return program towards the end of the temporary protection. The cabinet wants to make use of this option. This return program is aimed at displacing displaced people from Ukraine, to have it returned as soon as possible. There is explicit relationship with reconstruction here. Withdrawal of the current asylum application before departure is an absolute condition for participating in the return program.
National relapse option
In addition to the plan to stimulate and facilitate targeted return as soon as the country is safe again, it must be investigated how to organize this orderly. That is why the government is also working on a national relapse option. In addition to our efforts on return, we are preparing for the situation that a group of displaced persons will stay longer in the Netherlands. As long as being displaced with being in the Netherlands, our commitment is that they participate maximum, be self -reliant and contribute to costs.
European cooperation
When making the long -term plans, the government also keeps an eye on the European and Ukrainian perspective. A common approach of the EU member states radiates unity towards Ukraine and Ukrainian displaced people. This has worked well so far and prevents major differences between EU member states and therefore possible secondary migration flows. But a national approach is not excluded.