France's Limited Role in Hosting Ukrainian Refugees Compared to Other EU Nations

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, approximately 4.3 million Ukrainian refugees have sought temporary sanctuary across the European Union. While countries like Poland and Germany have taken in nearly a million and over 1.2 million refugees respectively, France's intake has been relatively modest, with only 64,720 Ukrainians receiving temporary protection as of January.

In terms of population ratio, countries like Poland, the Baltics, and Slovakia are hosting more than 25 refugees per 1,000 citizens, whereas France has fewer than one refugee per 1,000 citizens. This disparity is notable, especially considering Ireland, with a population of 5 million, hosts over 100,000 Ukrainians.

One reason for the low numbers in France could be the demographic composition of the refugees. Eurostat data reveals that out of those granted temporary protection in France, only 25 were minors, who typically do not require permits to stay.

Gerard Sadik from the NGO La Cimade suggests that around 30,000 Ukrainian refugees might be unaccounted for in the official French statistics. The language barrier also plays a significant role, with Slavic-speaking countries naturally attracting more Ukrainian refugees. Other factors include geographic proximity, financial support levels, and pre-existing Ukrainian communities, which are more favorable in countries like Germany than in France.

Despite these challenges, some Ukrainians have successfully settled in France, like Natalia Khomenko, who moved to Rennes and found employment and housing through her personal network rather than state assistance. This underscores the importance of community support over mere language compatibility.

However, navigating France's notorious bureaucracy can be daunting, particularly concerning the renewal of temporary protection permits, which must be updated every six months. This process often requires navigating a complex array of social benefits, housing programs, and employment opportunities, adding stress and uncertainty for the refugees.

The French response has included significant public-private initiatives and citizen involvement, with programs like the state-sponsored citizen accommodation program, which housed about 17,000 refugees in early 2022.

Nevertheless, the broader issue within the EU remains the "temporary" nature of the protection offered. Advocates like Daniel Gorevan from Save the Children emphasize that the uncertainty surrounding the status and future of these protections significantly impacts refugees' decisions regarding schooling, employment, and language learning, which in turn affects their long-term integration and well-being.

As the temporary protection is set to expire in March 2025, many Ukrainians, including Khomenko, express concerns about their future, suggesting a need for the EU to proactively address these uncertainties.