EU receives hundreds of thousands of refugees despite pushing anti-migration policies

Moscow (ANTARA) - Eurostat data recorded nearly 670,000 new asylum applications in 2025 and granted more than 683,000 new temporary protection statuses to Ukrainian citizens. The figures, released on Friday (19/6), were recorded despite ongoing discussions on tightening migration policies and combating illegal immigration. “In 2025, the EU recorded 669,710 first-time asylum applications,” Eurostat said in a statement published to mark World Refugee Day on 20 June. Additionally, EU member states issued 325,955 positive first-instance decisions on asylum applications and 49,025 positive decisions following appeal or review. “In 2025, the EU also granted new temporary protection status to 683,475 people fleeing Ukraine,” the Eurostat statement added. The highest number of temporary protection statuses for Ukrainians was recorded in 2022 following the launch of the EU mechanism. Venezuelan nationals became the largest group of new asylum seekers in the EU for the first time in 2025, accounting for 13.4 percent of the total, equivalent to 89,455 applications, according to Eurostat. The highest number of asylum applications was recorded in 2015, with 1,216,860 applications. The temporary protection mechanism was activated in February 2022, granting Ukrainians access to residence permits, employment, healthcare, and education across the EU. The mechanism is planned to remain in effect until March 2027.