Switzerland prepares to change rules for Ukrainian refugee admissions
Debate over protection status for Ukrainian refugees is intensifying in Switzerland — the federal government could make a decision as early as next week.
Photo: Peter Mosimann, parlament.ch
SWITZERLAND, 20 June. Discussions are heating up in Switzerland over the future of Ukrainian refugees, as the war in Ukraine continues into its fourth year.
According to NZZ, the SVP (Swiss People's Party) submitted a motion this week in the National Council to abolish protection status S, arguing that large parts of Ukraine are now considered stable.
In May, over 69,000 individuals were in Switzerland under this status, with new applications outnumbering returns.
The Federal Council must decide before the summer recess which regions of Ukraine can be considered safe. Even western parts of the country continue to be targeted by attacks, making the issue highly sensitive.
Norway has already adopted a similar policy by restricting automatic protection for people from 14 Ukrainian regions.
Within the EU, Switzerland has faced criticism for its limited military and financial support for Ukraine, increasing pressure on the federal government in Bern.
The decision expected next week could mark a turning point in Switzerland’s migration policy toward Ukrainian refugees.
It is worth noting that in September last year, Switzerland extended temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees until March 2026, due to the ongoing insecurity in their home country.