It took place at the European Parliamentary Research Service in Brussels on the 29th of September.

Together with other Ukrainian experts from academia, think tanks, civil society, EU institutions, and international organizations five perspectives of the EU-Ukraine relationship have been discussed:

EU-Ukraine cooperation and accession process;

Reconstruction of Ukraine;

Democracy and rule of law, Impunity and International Justice;

Impact on the functioning of the EU;

EU strategic autonomy and global role.

The purpose of the event was to gather elements for consideration by the European Parliament. Main points from the discussion on migration and refugees’ domain:

Most desired outcome:

Most Ukrainians go back to Ukraine after the war. Those wishing to return to Ukraine receive European and international support.

For those wanting to stay in Europe, an un-bureaucratic transition out of the temporary protection directive into refugee status or permanent residence.

Those who stay in the EU send remittances to Ukraine.

In the long term, return migration to Ukraine brings relevant skills and new values (social remittances) – i.e. knowledge-exchange/transfer.

New transnational linkages.

Positive impact and contribution of the Ukrainian diaspora to Ukraine’s reconstruction.

Reanimation of EU migration policy and Member States’ migration toolbox to better manage future crises.

Least desired outcome:

The temporary protection directive remains a one-off event and the war does not result in structural changes to reception and integration measures for all refugees.

Brain drain (loss of Ukrainian human capital as some Ukrainians do not return to Ukraine).

Energy crisis provoking radical movements in the EU, promoting populism, and shocking EU Unity.

On a broader scale, repercussions in EU neighborhood for social upheaval could trigger movements in medium-to-long-term.