A special meeting of European interior ministers on Thursday resulted in the application of a little-used measure known as the Temporary Protection Directive to any Ukrainians who want to seek refuge in an EU country.

The 90-day rule has been in place for Ukrainians since 2017, and this allows them to enter any EU or Schengen zone country without a visa and stay there for up to 90 days.

The activation of the Temporary Protection Directive means that any Ukrainian citizen can now stay within the EU or Schengen zone for a year without having to apply for a visa or make a claim for asylum.

During that time, they will be permitted to work and access education.

The measure came into force immediately and covers both Ukrainians who have already arrived and those who will do so in the days or weeks to come.

There were was no decision made in terms of the number of people individual EU countries may be asked to take in.

European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, who attended the meeting where the decision to implement the directive was made, called it a “historic decision”.

“The EU will give temporary protection to those fleeing the war in Ukraine. The EU stands united to save lives!” she tweeted.

The measure was welcomed by the interior ministers of EU countries, including Italy’s Luciana Lamorgese, who said her nation was ready to do its bit to take in Ukrainian refugees.

“Italy is well-equipped to handle emergency situations,” she said.

“We will address all the needs that arise.

“It is necessary to show Europe’s solidarity as the number of refugees arriving continues to rise.”

The UN High Commission for Refugees estimates that 1 million Ukrainians have already left the country and this number is expected to increase in the coming days as Russia intensifies its attacks. 

Italy can expected to receive some 800,000 to 900,000 refugees from Ukraine, according to Italian news agency ANSA.

In a statement on Sunday, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said that Europe “stands by those in need of protection”.

“All those fleeing Putin’s bombs are welcome in Europe,” von der Leyen said.

“We will provide protection to those seeking shelter and we will help those looking for a safe way home.”

Earlier this week, Ukraine formally entered an application to join the EU.