War in Ukraine, refugees, inclusion and human mobility

The challenges for a progressive EU policy

Policy Brief

14/12/2022

This Policy Brief analyses the migration profile and problems of reception and integration. It summarises the main EU decisions on the reception of Ukrainian refugees, with reference to the decision to grant them temporary protection. The flows from Ukraine are largely composed of women and children, posing pressing needs for integration into schooling and the labour market, addressing the problems of brain waste and segregation.

These issues are discussed in light of the different geopolitical scenarios and, therefore, with respect to short-term and medium-to-long-term needs. The study highlights the importance for the EU to equip itself with

  • a flexible capacity to foresee and respond to migratory flows;
  • measures for social and economic integration combined with measures that enable the mobility of people
  • the ability to overcome existing discrimination in the treatment of different nationalities

All this requires more solidarity among EU member states and territories.

More generally, the proliferation of protracted crises around Europe calls for a new risk-management policy outside and inside the Union. Growing tensions must be prevented and governed with a progressive policy based on the recognition of human rights, investing in universal welfare and social and territorial cohesion, as well as on the nexus between migration and development in Ukraine.

The Pact on Migration and Asylum should provide more diversified and intertwined safe channels of entry and mobility.

Network
Centro Studi di Politica Internazionale (CeSPI)
Fondation Jean-Jaurès
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
Find all related publications
Publications
22/04/2025

Trade, trust, and transition: Shaping the next transatlantic chapter

Essays series by FEPS and Center for American Progress (CAP)
24/03/2025

Europe and the war in Ukraine

From Russian aggression to a new Eastern policy
13/02/2025

Transforming housing policy in war-affected Ukraine

Progressive Ukraine series
13/02/2025

Impoverished motherhood in Ukraine

Progressive Ukraine series
Find all related Progressive Post
Progressive Post
13/03/2025

The EU and the Ukrainian people deserve more than armaments

The recent push by the European Commission towards a sizable ‘ReArm EU’ programme that boosts […]
13/03/2025

Empowering Europe for progress

There are times when history repeats itself, others when it rhymes and yet others when […]
13/03/2025

Rebuilding European security via a ‘supra-governmental avantgarde’

Given the profound change of direction of US foreign and security policies, a group of […]
Find all related events
Events
Past
24/02/2025
Online

Applying a gender lens to Ukraine’s reconstruction

Ukraine Solidarity Day
29 - 31/01/2025
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Progressive Migration Group delegation to Addis Ababa

After the Progressive Migration Group (PMG) successfully presented their findings in Brussels in September 2024, […]
29/01/2025
FEPS HQ, Brussels

FEPS New Year Reception & Progressive Yearbook launch

6th edition
Find all related news
News
15/01/2025

Launch of the new Open Progressive University’s Ukraine programme!

We have launched the new programme ‘Progressive Ukraine’ in collaboration with S&D Group as part […]
15/05/2024

Notice of vacancy – Policy analyst on international relations

This vacancy is now closed.
18/03/2024

FEPS President on Euronews talk-show ‘Brussels, my love?’

NATO extension, Portuguese elections, far-right and gender equality were the topics of the debate
07/12/2023

Call for Tender – Research on Migration

This call for tender closed on 05/01/2024
Find all related in the media
In the media

Orbán’s stance on Ukraine pushes Hungary to brink in EU relations

by The Guardian 22/04/2025
News article by The Guardian (UK) quoting FEPS Secretary General László Andor, who highlights how Hungary’s obstructive stance on Ukraine is undermining vital EU unity and fuelling tensions among member states.

Italy’s scheme to offshore asylum claims should not be a model for the rest of Europe

by The Guardian 16/10/2024
Article from The Guardian which references the policy study "Responsibility-sharing or shifting? Implications of the New Pact for future EU cooperation with third countries" by FEPS, FES and EPC.

FEPS President on Euronews talk-show ‘Brussels, my love?’

by Euronews 16/03/2024
FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues discusses NATO expansions and elections in Russia and Portugal on Euronews talk-show ‘Brussels, my love?‘

What are Hungary’s conditions for lifting its Ukraine Facility veto?

by Euractiv 12/01/2024
In this episode, Evi Kiorri asks Andriy Korniychuk, policy analyst and expert on Ukraine matters at the Foundation for European Progressive Studies: what are Viktor Orbán's conditions, and why is Hungary considering changing its position?