The discussion centers on men who, in most cases, are already barred from leaving Ukraine under wartime rules. Supporters in Warsaw argue that adjusted rules could help Kyiv as it struggles to replenish forces on the front line, while insisting that any changes must avoid breaching humanitarian principles. The idea is emerging as EU member states consider the future of the bloc’s temporary protection scheme for Ukrainians, which allows those fleeing Russia’s invasion to live and work in the EU without going through national asylum systems. For now, the European Commission has said that the existing decision to extend temporary protection until March 2027 applies equally to all Ukrainians, with no exceptions for military‑age men. Any future change would likely apply only to new applicants rather than Ukrainians already covered by the scheme, officials say.