Switzerland, following the EU, will stop granting asylum to Ukrainians liable for military service

Starting August 20, Switzerland will stop granting the special protection status S to Ukrainians liable for military service, following a similar decision by the European Union.

This was stated in an announcement published on the government's website.

"From now on, status S will be granted only to persons fulfilling the military obligations that may apply to them in Ukraine. The new rule applies to all new applications submitted from August 20," the text says. The restrictions will not affect Ukrainian citizens who have already been granted status S.

Bern acknowledged that it is "not legally obliged to follow the decision of the EU Council," but believes that "bringing its practice into line with the European Union" is in the confederation's interests. Switzerland also decided to extend the validity of the special status S for refugees from Ukraine for another year — until March 4, 2028.

On August 5, the European Union countries almost unanimously supported the proposal to deny the right to asylum to men from Ukraine who are fit for army service. Earlier, the European Commission stated that this proposal had come from Kyiv. There are about 4.3 million Ukrainian refugees in the EU countries. Of these, around 1 million are men fit for military service.

Introduced in March 2022, status S provides the right to stay in Switzerland for one year with the possibility of annual extension, as well as the right to work with the permission of cantonal authorities. Children of Ukrainian citizens with status S can receive an education in Switzerland. According to the latest data, more than 73,000 Ukrainians with this status live in the confederation.

Source: TASS