EU appoints special envoy for Ukrainian affairs: Chosen candidate revealed
Photo: Ylva Johansson (facebook.com/johanssonylva)
The European Union is preparing to appoint a special envoy for Ukrainians within the EU. Former European Commissioner Ylva Johansson has been chosen for the position, Politico informs.
Two officials familiar with the appointment said that Johansson will take on the newly created role, where she will help oversee the European Commission’s recently unveiled long-term strategy for Ukrainian refugees.
Johansson, a former Swedish minister, served as the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs from 2019 to 2024. She has visited Ukraine several times, including a refugee camp on the Romanian border, and was awarded the Ukrainian Order of Merit in September last year.
The role of special envoy is expected to focus on "enhancing coordination, representing the interests of Ukrainians, and implementing practical support tools, including the development" of the centers within the European Union.
The Council of the European Union is expected to reach a political agreement on June 13 to extend the temporary protection regime for Ukrainian citizens until March 2027.
According to European Commission data, as of January 2025, there were approximately 4.3 million recipients of temporary protection in the EU.
That number is projected to decline to 4.1 million by the end of 2025 and to 3.8 million by the end of 2026.
