20 February 2025 Dear Colleague, As the war in Ukraine reaches its third anniversary on February 24, some of the 6.1 million refugees who remain displaced in countries across Europe face mounting questions about their longer-term futures. Support in some host countries is waning and the European Union has yet to outline a cohesive long-term vision to address the biggest displacement on the continent since World War II. Hundreds of thousands of refugees already have returned to Ukraine, some temporarily, others permanently. The role that host-country support plays in people’s decisions to return or stay has been a key question for European policymakers. A new Migration Policy Institute Europe short read, drawing from findings from a recent research collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), highlights that strong host-country support—particularly in areas such as housing, health and education—can not only aid integration but also play a vital role in refugees’ return intentions. ‘This is an important finding for European policymakers and civil society: Host-country support may simultaneously promote meaningful integration and provide stability and resources for families to make the decision to return once conditions allow—a potential win-win for refugees, host countries and Ukraine alike’, MPI Europe analysts Ravenna Sohst and Jasmijn Slootjes write. With host-country support across Europe increasingly uneven, policymakers should consider the effects of scaling back assistance, which can undermine refugees' stability and paradoxically disrupt their return plans. Investment in dual-intent integration policies that balance long-term inclusion with the option for return if desired by Ukrainians can prove beneficial for all parties. ‘By prioritising comprehensive and durable support systems now, leaders can lay the groundwork for a future that benefits both those who stay and those who eventually return’, the authors note. Find the short read here: www.migrationpolicy.org/news/policy-paradox-ukrainian-refugees. And for the earlier research report, click here. | 
