World Immigration News

(Novaya Gazeta Europe)‘Even a strong case can fall apart’How the EU’s migration reform made political asylum effectively impossible for Russians to obtain

Release Date: 2026-09-04
Media: Novaya Gazeta Europe
Summary: The EU’s new asylum system, in force since 12 June 2026, introduces accelerated procedures for applicants considered unlikely to receive international protection. Nationals of countries with an EU-wide asylum approval rate below 20% may be placed in a fast-track process lasting no more than three months. Russia falls into this category, with an approval rate of 18.1% in 2024, raising concerns for Russians fleeing political persecution.

Human rights advocates warn that faster procedures leave applicants less time to collect evidence, obtain legal assistance and appeal negative decisions. Russians who travelled through countries such as Georgia, Armenia or Turkey may also face difficulties under expanded “safe third country” rules. Significant differences in recognition rates among EU member states further raise questions about using a single 20% threshold to determine how individual cases are processed.

The reform also replaces the previous Dublin system with greater responsibility-sharing among EU states, although countries can contribute financially instead of accepting asylum seekers. While the EU presents the changes as a way to bring greater order, efficiency and burden-sharing to migration management, critics argue that rigid procedures and increasingly externalized asylum policies could undermine individual assessments and access to effective protection.
Tags: Europe

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