UKRAINIAN REFUGEES IN THE EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES IN 2023–2024

The article examines the problem of correlation between the evolution of the EU countries public opinion on the reception of Ukrainian refugees in 2023–2024 and the policy of the EU member states in this area. The purpose of the article is to analyze the EU countries official policy in this field in 2023 and 2024, as well as to identify the factors influencing this process. It is concluded that there is a more wary attitude towards migrants from Ukraine than in the first year after the start of the SMO operation in 2022, although in general, sentiments in favor of supporting Ukrainian migrants continue to prevail in the EU member states. Changes in public attitudes on these issues are reflected in the policies of the host countries. There is some tightening of the conditions of stay of Ukrainian migrants, as well as their encouragement to return to Ukraine. At the same time, a number of countries are introducing measures aimed at better integrating those who can be useful for their host communities. Public opinion, as well as the policy of the EU member states in relation to temporarily displaced persons from Ukraine, is differentiated, and the spread of opinions between citizens and between individual countries is significant.