Greece has proposed suspending the right to apply for asylum in the EU during a mass influx of irregular migrants. The measure could allow returns without individual assessments and lead to “collective pushbacks”, which current EU law prohibits.
Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris presented the proposal to EU counterparts at a ministerial meeting in Luxembourg. Athens wants it included in the European Emergency Response Framework, a law the European Commission plans to present in the coming months to address irregular arrivals and the “instrumentalisation” of migration at the EU’s external borders.
A proposed derogation from asylum rules
Greece’s proposed “Special Derogation Regime” would apply in exceptional circumstances: a rapid increase in irregular arrivals, pressure on local infrastructure, or evidence that non-EU countries were organising or facilitating migration flows. It could suspend access to the ordinary process for people seeking asylum. Current EU law prohibits the collective pushbacks such a measure could produce.
The proposal comes as EU countries consider whether to release strategic oil reserves. EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen said releasing reserves to cushion soaring prices “is a possibility.” The United States is urging European allies to release diesel reserves or face a U.S. export ban.
Jørgensen said the EU was discussing with members of the International Energy Agency, including the United States, when a release would be appropriate. “We've used it before, and we'll likely use it again,” he told Euronews’ Maria Tadeo on Thursday. EU countries were weighing a coordinated release through the Paris-based IEA, but EU capitals will make the final decision.
An EU source said the European Commission held a call on Thursday with several countries, including the UK, to assess different scenarios. The war in Iran and reduced refining capacity have squeezed supply. Prices have climbed for companies and consumers.
Pressure over fuel and public finances
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged Europe to make new stocks available “immediately” to ease costs. He said U.S. “farmers, truckers, and businesses should not be left carrying the burden”. U.S. diesel prices had surged to $7 a gallon in recent days. Brent crude had traded between $97 and $102 a barrel since late September, up $25 to $30 from pre-war levels. President Trump has made the issue a priority ahead of pivotal midterm elections.
The Commission also said Ukraine’s financial and military needs for 2026 were fully covered, ending debate over a $27 billion deficit. “Through coordinated joint efforts, we have identified the means to cover Ukraine’s budget and defence needs for 2026,” the Commission said in a statement Ursula von der Leyen posted on Thursday.
Kyiv had flagged the funding gap in the Ministry of Defence in late August, prompting technical talks. EU officials found the headline figure unexpected and unexplained, while the Commission urged Ukraine to pass reforms to unlock the €90 billion support loan. Attention has shifted to Ukraine’s 2027 needs: the country identified a $78 billion shortfall, including $32.6 billion for the budget and $45 billion for the military. Brussels and Kyiv were to continue discussions.