BRUSSELS, Oct. 17 -- Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told fellow EU leaders on Thursday that energy costs had "fueled a new surge in European inflation," Euronews reported, and that he did not expect a deal "today or tomorrow." Friday's Eurostat data showed what he was arguing from.

Euro area inflation was confirmed at 3.8% in September, up from 3.2% in August and 2.2% a year earlier. The headline hides a wide spread. Greece ran at 5.1%, Spain at 5.0%, Italy at 4.2%, France at 3.4% and Germany at 3.3%. A year ago Greece stood at 1.8% and Italy at 1.7%.

Energy explains most of it. Eurostat has energy prices up 18.9% on the year, supplying 1.71 of the 3.8 points. Strip out energy, food, alcohol and tobacco and the rate is 2.5%. T...