00:00Good morning, it is Wednesday the 26th of November, I'm Maeve McMahon and this is Europe Today,
00:22Euronews' daily live fix of European news and analysis.
00:26Coming up today, despite a three-day strike here in Belgium, European lawmakers made it
00:31to Strasbourg for their November plenary session.
00:35On their agenda this morning, a debate on a European solution to lasting peace in Ukraine,
00:40making sure the European voice is heard amidst the flurry of diplomacy.
00:45MEPs also voted on integrating the EU's defence industry with that of Ukraine's.
00:50For insights on what exactly is being said behind closed doors, we'll be hearing exclusively
00:55from the European Commissioner for the Economy, that's Vladis Dombrowski.
00:59Originally from Latvia, Vladis Dombrowski is a former Prime Minister, MEP and he's now serving
01:05his third stint as Commissioner.
01:08Although his main task is to drive growth in the EU and cut red tape, being from a Baltic
01:13state means he's closely following the situation in Ukraine.
01:17We can cross now live over to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, where Euronews' EU editor, Maria
01:22Tadeo, is standing by for us.
01:24A busy week for you, Maria.
01:25Thank you so much for joining us this morning.
01:27Look, let's talk about Ukraine.
01:29The talks are moving fast.
01:30We've heard President Zelensky may visit President Trump as soon as substantial progress is made.
01:35What are you hearing in Strasbourg, Maria?
01:38Yes, Maeve, good morning.
01:41And as you say, this is a plenary session that was on the agenda, that was scheduled.
01:45But of course, a lot of this is now conditioned by those talks, talks between the Ukrainians,
01:51the United States, but also the Europeans.
01:53And that is really the zeitgeist here in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, how to muscle
01:58the Europeans back into these talks.
02:01Of course, this has been a very delicate week for Ukraine.
02:04It has been a delicate week, too, for the Europeans who want to get a seat at the table, because
02:09a lot of the points that will be debated and potentially a peace settlement will have to
02:14involve the Europeans when it comes to territory, when it comes to NATO, when it comes, of course,
02:19to the reconstruction of Ukraine and also the frozen assets.
02:22So on that note, I am very pleased to say, Maeve, this morning we are joined by Valdis Dombrovskis.
02:27Of course, he comes from Latvia, but this is a man who knows the machine very well, three
02:31times commissioner, and he is joining us live.
02:35Commissioner, thank you very much for being with us exclusively on Euronews.
02:39You have said from day one Ukraine needs to win for Ukraine, but also for Europe.
02:44It seems to me, however, Russia has the upper hand.
02:47Isn't it?
02:48Vladimir Putin, he won.
02:50Good morning.
02:51Well, first of all, it's very clear that we need to continue to provide all necessary support
02:57to Ukraine, which includes military support, which includes financial support.
03:03And currently we are engaged in intensive peace negotiations.
03:09And we have set important parameters from the European Union side, respect of territorial integrity,
03:17questions also about Ukraine's military capacities, that they are not restrained and making Ukraine
03:23vulnerable to further attacks.
03:26And also that the European Union and Ukraine's EU integration is at the center of the post-war
03:36settlement.
03:37I'm going to ask you, however, do you think President Trump cares?
03:41Because it seems from the outside that President Trump does what President Trump wants.
03:46Well, that's why we have been very intensively engaged throughout the week in negotiations
03:52in different formats, working to, if we talk about peace plan, to improve the conditions,
03:59to make a peace which at the end of the day is just unlasting.
04:03And can I ask you, however, do you worry about the close contacts that it seems a part of
04:09the U.S. administration has with Russia?
04:11Again, from the outside, it seems they have the ear of a significant part of this administration.
04:16Negotiator Whitcoff, too, do you worry that the Russians now have the upper hand?
04:21Well, it's clear that Russia cannot be rewarded for its aggression.
04:26And this is also an important principle which must tell that Russia is also held responsible for the damage and for the crimes it has committed in Ukraine.
04:35And is that going to happen, however, because many documents have now done the rounds, but one of them basically said the frozen assets would be unblocked, there would be an investment fund for Russia, and they could make money out of this.
04:47How is that acceptable to the European taxpayer?
04:49Well, I was mentioning the issue and importance of providing further financial support to Ukraine, and this is indeed an urgent issue.
04:59And as you know, one of the options we have put forward as European Commission is so-called reparation loan, which foresees the use of cash balances associated with immobilized Russian assets.
05:12And there are European Council decisions, there are also G7 decisions foreseeing that Russian assets should stay immobilized for as long as Russia has not paid reparations.
05:22So you think in no way Russia and those frozen assets could be unblocked and money given to Moscow?
05:28Well, this is a proposal and a concept we have put forward as a European Commission.
05:34We do not see basis for rewarding Russia for its aggression.
05:38And, of course, when it comes to the Europeans, the 140 billion euros, the frozen assets, you have been debating this now for weeks and months.
05:45And I have to be honest, you have said from day one that the money had to be used for Ukraine.
05:50Why is this still not moving?
05:52It seems it's a critical stage.
05:54Europeans are just talking, not taking action.
05:57Well, indeed, it's urgent to take action.
06:00So following the request of EU member states, the Commission has prepared options paper outlining different options for funding.
06:08But now, indeed, it's times that we stop discussing different options, but agree what we do and move forward.
06:16And of all options, reparation loan is which can provide sizable support for Ukraine without putting additional substantial fiscal burden on EU or its member states.
06:29So for you, the reparations loan, which has never been done in modern history, not even the Second World War had this kind of reparations.
06:36That is the way to go.
06:37That is your preferred option.
06:38As commissioner, you say we need to use the money and give it to Ukraine.
06:42Well, because other options are more costly for EU and member states.
06:48I wouldn't say worse, but they are more costly because it's clear that Ukraine is facing debt sustainability issues.
06:54So we cannot just go on providing another loan to Ukraine.
06:57So support we provide has to have strong grant or grant-like features.
07:03And for this to be the case, we can use these cash balances associated with Russian assets or then member states or EU budget has to pay itself.
07:14So then let's get to the action when it comes to December.
07:17And by the end of December, there could be a peace deal already more or less agreed between the Russians and the Ukrainians.
07:22Do you think when we get to the European Council at the end of the month, the Belgians will come around?
07:27Because so far they have played this very tough and they say they do not think this is a good idea and the retaliation could be severe from Russia.
07:35Well, we are in intensive engagement with Belgian authorities because we understand their concerns and it's clear that other EU member states need to provide a guarantee that this risk needs to be shared.
07:49Belgium cannot take that risk alone.
07:51Well, as regards Russian retaliation, Russia has all the possible reasons to retaliate against the EU.
07:59We have immobilized its assets. We have seized and frozen Russian oligarchs' assets.
08:06We have put 19 sanctions packages against Russia. We have provided very sizable support to Ukraine.
08:12I think it's very clear where the European Union and its member states stay in this Russia's war against Ukraine.
08:19So your message to the Belgian Prime Minister is don't fear Vladimir Putin. Let's work on this together.
08:24Let's get the frozen assets done and in a reparation loan immediately.
08:27Well, you know, if you give in to bullying, you only face more bullying.
08:32So we need to stand up against the aggressor.
08:35And on that note, the Russians don't seem to fear Europe and they also seem to believe there is an understanding with member states like countries like Hungary,
08:43who continues to say Russia cannot be defeated on the battlefield and the Europeans won war.
08:48What do you do when it comes to Viktor Orban?
08:50Well, what we need to do is to provide decisive support to Ukraine.
08:56And that's what we need to focus.
08:58Obviously, those discussions have been difficult throughout, including with Hungary.
09:02But at the end of the day, one way or another, we were able to agree on 19 census packages.
09:08We were able to provide very sizable financial support to Ukraine.
09:13And it's important, obviously, that we are able to act now when probably we are facing a critical moment as regards this peace process.
09:21But when Viktor Orban says the problem is the Europeans, they want war, what's your response?
09:26Well, I cannot agree less to statements like this.
09:31The problem is Russia.
09:32It is Russia which is aggressor and it is Russia which has to be countered.
09:35And just a final question.
09:36If Ukraine is thrown under the bus, a bad deal, what does that mean for Europe?
09:40What's the risk for us?
09:41What's the risk for us?
09:42Do you feel your country, the Baltics, Poland could be attacked next?
09:45Well, we know also from history that appeasement of aggressors only creates more aggression.
09:51And Russia is openly talking about invading other countries, including EU and NATO countries.
09:57So it means if Russia would feel vindicated by this war and the results of this war, it will only create more aggression and this war will spread.
10:07Well, Commissioner, thank you very much for joining us on Euronews.
10:10And of course, Maeve, that was Valdez Zombrowski's Commissioner for the Economy and Simplification.
10:16Today, however, the focus is very much on Ukraine and those ongoing talks among the Europeans and the frozen assets.
10:23That is a big card the Europeans can't play.
10:25Will they play it?
10:26That is still the big question.
10:28It is indeed.
10:29Maria Tadeo, Euronews's EU News Editor, thank you so much for that live update from Strasbourg.
10:33And of course, to your guest, Commissioner Valdez Zombrowski, for getting up so early to be on Europe today.
10:38Now, ending the war in Ukraine is, of course, the most acute geopolitical issue on the minds of Europeans today.
10:44But it does not mean that other important crises are being forgotten, like the chronic antibiotic shortage that numerous EU countries have been facing due to production costs,
10:54rising energy bills and, of course, increased demand.
10:57Euronews reporters, Martha Areola and Aida Sanchez, got their hands on some exclusive information that might provide you with some temporary relief.
11:05Are you sick of not finding your essential meds in the pharmacy?
11:10We have good news for you this winter.
11:13The antibiotic shortage in Europe is now a thing of the past after several years of medicine shortages.
11:20The European medicine agency told Euronews that antibiotics, like the commonly used amoxicillin, are now off their monitoring list.
11:31But it's not all positive. 36 other drugs are scarce. The EMA are monitoring them closely.
11:39Medicine shortages in the EU is a chronic issue. But if there was a turning point for it, that was the COVID-19 pandemic.
11:50The medical emergency exposed the EU's vulnerabilities and the risks posed by export disruptions.
11:57And made clear what the bloc needed. A more resilient supply chain and solving the high dependence on India and China.
12:05This is the focus of the new Critical Medicines Act. How will they do it? Prioritise EU-based suppliers and ensure the availability of critical medicines.
12:23And if you're curious about those talks among EU Capitals and the Parliament on this Critical Medicines Act, visit Euronews.com for a longer read.
12:30But now it's time to talk about Nicolas Sarkozy. The former French president was put behind bars in October.
12:37But an appeals court has already approved his conditional release and he's making sure to make a dramatic exit.
12:43In prison there is nothing to see and nothing to do. That's a teaser from France's newest literary star.
12:58This October Nicolas Sarkozy became the first former French president to serve jail time.
13:03He was convicted of criminal conspiracy over a scheme to fund his 2007 presidential race.
13:10But as we've recently switched our clocks to winter time, Sarkozy switched a five year sentence into just 20 days behind bars.
13:18So, what was our writer in residence up to inside?
13:22Well, we can't be sure, but we can guess his daily routine.
13:26Morning. Reading time. Sarkozy brought two symbolic books.
13:31The Count of the Monte Cristo. A tale of unjust imprisonment and revenge.
13:37And a biography of Jesus. Subtle? Huh, hardly.
13:41Midday. A bit of time to stretch your legs in an 11 square meter cell.
13:46No luxury here. Just a hot plate for cooking, a shower and a TV which he had to rent for 14 euros a month.
13:53A good deal to watch Euronews, isn't it?
13:56Afternoon. In between writing his 200 page memoir, he had to face paparazzi inside.
14:02Inmates used smuggle phones to film him through the bars and leaked the footage online.
14:08Is the book Pulitzer material? Readers will have to decide.
14:12A prisoner's diary will be out on December 10th.
14:16We haven't read it yet, but we can give the marketing campaign a solid 5 out of 5.
14:22Jacob Yanis reporting there on a French president who denies any wrongdoing
14:31and will face a fresh trial, though, next spring.
14:33Well, that brings this edition of Europe Today to an end.
14:36Watch The Ring tonight, though, on Euronews.
14:38We'll be live from Strasbourg.
14:40And I'll be back tomorrow morning here bright and early, so tune in for that.
14:43Take care.
14:49We'll be right back.
14:51Bye-bye.
14:55Bye-bye.
14:59Bye-bye.
15:00Bye-bye.
15:02Bye-bye.
15:04Bye-bye.
15:09Bye-bye.
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