(22)Additionally, the military aggression against Ukraine by Russia has already led to a major displacement of Ukrainian citizens both internally and in neighbouring countries, with an unprecedented inflow into the Union of displaced persons from Ukraine, with major humanitarian and economic consequences for the Member States. In particular, the Union and its Member States have had to and continue to have to make an important fiscal effort to host displaced persons from Ukraine. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has forced millions of people to flee their country to safety, mostly towards Member States. By the end of September 2025, a total of 4,3 million non-EU citizens who fled Ukraine have received temporary protection under Council Directive 2001/55/EUnote. Since 2022, the gross fiscal cost for the Union associated with hosting displaced persons from Ukraine is estimated at about 0,2 % of GDP per year and different estimations show that the resulting fiscal costs for the Member States in the period between 2022 and 2025 could reach above EUR 155 billion. A further escalation of Russia’s war of aggression could lead to the risk of sudden and mass influx of displaced persons from Ukraine or of persons in need of international protection.
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