The Russian aggression in Ukraine led to the activation of the 2001 Temporary Protection Directive by the European Union to organise the reception of displaced persons fleeing the conflict. This is an unprecedented move, in the twenty years of its existence, this directive has never been implemented. It is therefore interesting to observe what this protection consists of, but also to recontextualise its activation in the wider context of the European Union's immigration and border control policy. The mechanism is indeed very protective for the persons concerned, which puts into perspective the strict requirements of the Union regarding the access of third-country nationals to European territory.