The European Union has agreed to measures providing temporary protection to the hundreds of thousands of refugees streaming into the bloc as they try to escape Russia's invasion and heavy bombardment of cities across Ukraine.
EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson announced the "historic decision" on March 3 after a meeting of interior ministers from the bloc's 27 members.
"Historic decision...right now; the EU will give temporary protection to those fleeing the war in Ukraine," she said in a tweet.
The Temporary Protection Directive applies to Ukrainians and people who have made Ukraine their residence, as well as family members, who have been displaced by the conflict.
Non-Ukrainian nationals and stateless people legally residing in Ukraine who cannot return to their country or region of origin, such as asylum seekers or beneficiaries of international protection and their family members, will also be granted protection in the EU, the directive says.
Temporary protection would apply immediately and run for one year. It can be extended automatically by six monthly periods for a further year, according to the directive.
The United Nations said on March 3 that as the conflict entered its eighth day, more than 1 million people had fled Ukraine, almost 600,000 of whom crossed into EU member Poland.