Ukraine’s diaspora question lands at the European Parliament on Monday
As Brussels prepares to wind down EU temporary protection for 4.4 million Ukrainian refugees in 2027, Ukraine’s women’s diaspora is gathering at the European Parliament to argue what should come next. The third edition of “Power. Voice. Legacy”, organized by the European Association of Ukrainian Women and hosted by Polish MEP Krzysztof Brejza, opens on 11 May.
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Only 43% of refugees said the end of the war would motivate them to return.
The forum takes place as the EU’s protection regime, which covered 4.4 million Ukrainians as of January 2026, was extended in June 2025 until 4 March 2027. 5.9 million Ukrainians live abroad as of 2026.
Member states adopted a coordinated phase-out plan in September 2025 to transition refugees toward national residence permits or voluntary returns. Poland borders Ukraine and hosts almost one million Ukrainian refugees under EU temporary protection—the second-highest number in the bloc after Germany. A 2025 LSE Growth Lab report citing late-2024 surveys found that only 43% of refugees said the end of the war would motivate them to return.
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Nine panels, three venues, one statement
The forum runs across three venues—the Ukrainian Civil Society Hub, the Zweig Visitor Centre, and the European Parliament itself. Its nine panels cover gender policy, cultural diplomacy, veterans’ reintegration, human rights, education, entrepreneurship, civil society, Ukraine’s role in Europe, and the rule of law.
Forum founder Violetta Dvornikova led the civilian evacuation of Irpin during Russia’s 2022 assault.
Around 100 participants are expected—Ukrainian and European officials, diplomats, entrepreneurs, war veterans, and academics. Organizers plan to release a public “EAUW Women’s Statement” at the close. The international magazine “Ambassador” is a partner.
Forum founder Violetta Dvornikova led the civilian evacuation of Irpin during Russia’s 2022 assault on the Kyiv suburb and was awarded Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Decoration, Third Degree, that April. She now heads the Ukrainian Civil Society Hub at the European Parliament. EAUW operates in 17 European countries.
