On Tuesday 24 February 2026, the Young European Federalists of Luxembourg (Jeunes Européens Fédéralistes - JEF Luxembourg) issued a statement following comments from Leon Gloden, Luxembourg Minister for Home Affairs, made in relation to the recent increase in temporary protection requests from Ukrainians.
In its statement, JEF Luxembourg noted its concern about the remarks, particularly given their timing in relation to the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Tuesday 24 February.
They said: “Ukrainians in Luxembourg are here because they are fleeing a war of aggression launched by Vladimir Putin's Russia. The Council decided in 2022 for the first time to activate the collective temporary protection mechanism for displaced Ukrainians. The Temporary Protection Directive is one of the clearest examples of European unity in times of crisis.”
The statement from JEF Luxembourg highlighted that Luxembourg currently hosts approximately 4,100 Ukrainians under temporary protection, a number it said may appear to be high in absolute terms but must be placed in perspective. According to sources cited by JEF Luxembourg, the number of people under temporary protection relative to the EU population was 9.7 per 1,000 people at the end of December 2025, with Luxembourg hosting 5.94 per 1,000 people.
JEF Luxembourg remarked: “This does not mean that we have not shown solidarity with the Ukrainians. However, we cannot start using rhetoric which seeks to make it seem like we are disproportionately burdened. This comes after a winter in which a Holocaust survivor froze to death due to incessant Russian bombardment.”
The pro-European youth organisation highlighted that in June 2025, the Government Council (Cabinet) unanimously extended the temporary protection of Ukrainians until March 2027 and stressed: “This means this decision was also approved by Luxembourg. We cannot one day affirm this protection and the next imply that some should return, fight or rebuild instead. The decision included that there would be a phase out of temporary protection once peace is achieved. Only once circumstances change on the ground will there be a change in the temporary protection.”
They added: “The idea that Ukrainians should now return to rebuild their country ignores the reality on the ground. The obstacle to rebuilding Ukraine is not Ukrainian refugees in Luxembourg. There is nothing to rebuild while war continues. Reconstruction starts with peace. And peace begins when Russia ends its war of aggression. Whether young Ukrainian men should return to fight is a matter for Ukraine and Ukrainian society. It is not for Luxembourg to decide who has the right to seek protection. Temporary protection allows for collective and immediate protection for all displaced persons from Ukraine and hence they do not need to apply for asylum on an individual basis.”
In conclusion, JEF Luxembourg remarked: “Europe is based on solidarity in all its forms. This was the ingredient that boosted the economic prosperity of new members of the European Union, this one was the ingredient boosting our country after the war and this one will be the ingredient that will build a strong and safe Ukraine in Europe.”
