Former Commissioner Ilva Johansson is expected to assume the role of the new European Union’s new Special Envoy for Ukrainians in the Member States of the Union.

According to two officials who are aware of the appointment and spoke to Politico, Johansson will take on this newly formed position, under the supervision of the recently announced European Commission’s long -term strategy to support Ukrainian refugees.

Johansson, a former Swedish minister, served as Home Affairs Commissioner from 2019 to 2024. During her term of office, she has repeatedly visited Ukraine, including the refugee camp at the border with Romania. In September 2023, the Ukrainian value was awarded to her.

The European Commission has recently announced the extension of the temporary protection regime for the nearly 4.3 million Ukrainians displaced after the Russian invasion in February 2022 and have found refuge in the EU.

At the same time, she presented her plan to transfer refugees to permanent legal regimes or, alternatively, to facilitate their safe return to Ukraine. In this context, information centers will be created that will operate in collaboration with the Ukrainian authorities and provide guidance on the integration or repatriation of displaced.

The role of the special envoy, as announced last week by Magnus Brunner Migration Commissioner, will be to enhance coordination, represent the interests of Ukrainian refugees and contribute to the development and implementation of practical support tools, including new centers.

Ukraine has long set the repatriation of its citizens as a priority, as the war with Russia continues. At the same time, while some European officials are concerned about increasing “exhaustion of the reception” of Ukrainian refugees, other member states want to keep them in their workforce, utilizing their skills.