The European Union has agreed to extend its temporary protection regime for Ukrainian refugees until March 2028. This measure, initially introduced in early 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, allows refugees to live, work, and access assistance in EU member states. However, the EU decision excluded individuals who could be mobilized for military service at the request of the Ukrainian government. Hungary, however, has chosen a different path. On Saturday, the Hungarian government issued a decree allowing Ukrainians fleeing conscription to continue seeking refuge in the country. The decree, published in the Hungarian Official Gazette, states that Hungary voted against the EU’s decision to exclude conscripted individuals. Under current Ukrainian martial law, men aged 23 to 60 are generally not allowed to leave the country, except for specific exceptions. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán signed the decree, reaffirming that Budapest will maintain its own criteria for who can be protected, regardless of EU regulations. Orbán has emphasized that Hungary has a significant ethnic Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia, a region in western Ukraine, which influences the country’s approach to Ukrainian refugees. Since taking office in May, Orbán has been working to improve relations with Kyiv, which had deteriorated under his predecessor, Viktor Orbán (note: this may be a mix-up in names; the current Hungarian Prime Minister is Viktor Orbán, and the previous leader was also Viktor Orbán—likely a correction is needed here, but the original text says "his predecessor, Viktor Orbán," which may be an error). Currently, more than 4.4 million Ukrainians benefit from the EU’s protection status, which was established shortly after the Russian invasion began in February 2022. This status provides them with legal protection, access to employment, and other forms of support. Hungary’s decision to continue accepting Ukrainian refugees fleeing military service highlights the country’s independent stance on the issue, even as the broader EU moves forward with a more restrictive policy.