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Europe Today: EU foreign ministers meet as Hungary blocks Ukraine loan
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00:14Good morning, it is Monday the 23rd of February. I'm Maeve Magamaghen and this is Europe Today.
00:21Your daily dose of European news and analysis live right here on Euronews.
00:26Coming up, EU foreign affairs ministers are gathering in Brussels today to discuss a fresh wave of sanctions against Russia.
00:35But there is a spanner in the works. Hungary is blocking a 90 billion lifeline for Ukraine
00:40and Hungary and Slovakia are blocking a new sanctions package until Kiev resumes Russian oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia.
00:48The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is in the middle of an election campaign,
00:51has also asked for several Russian names to be removed from the EU blacklist.
00:56For more on this, we can cross straight over to the European Council, where Euronews correspondent Shona Murray is standing
01:01by.
01:02Shona, quite a twist here, given President von der Leyen was hoping to make a big announcement tomorrow in Kiev.
01:08Remind us what exactly is at stake today.
01:11Well, that's right, Maeve. This is going to be a very difficult EU foreign affairs ministers meeting,
01:16not the one that they'd hoped for, given that bombshell announcement on Friday and all over the weekend by the
01:21Hungarian government that it would block major consequential decisions in relation to Ukraine.
01:27And yesterday we heard from the Hungarian foreign affairs minister doubling down on that, saying until Ukraine resumes oil transit
01:33to Hungary and Slovakia via the Drozba pipeline,
01:35will not allow decisions important to Kiev to move forward.
01:39And as you mentioned there, they're blocking that €90 billion lifeline loan for Ukraine,
01:43which was negotiated with great fanfare just before Christmas and endorsed by all 27 EU member states,
01:49although Hungary and Slovakia won't be getting involved in it.
01:53That money is so important because Ukraine will run out of cash within the next six to eight weeks.
01:58It was supposed to keep the country afloat for the next two years.
02:02EU officials I've spoken to say they don't know how they're going to move forward with this.
02:05In addition, they're both then Slovakia and Hungary then blocking the passage of the 20th sanctions package in relation to
02:12Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
02:14And the EU had hoped that this would be passed by the anniversary of the fourth and the four of
02:18the full-scale invasion,
02:20which is, of course, tomorrow.
02:21That doesn't look like it's going to materialize, even though EU officials said that they had made huge progress in
02:26this.
02:26So officials I've spoken to again have said that really this is an inflammatory move by Hungary,
02:30but also very much exposes the vulnerabilities around the European Union and the decision-making process that one country can
02:37veto something so consequential for Europe at this point.
02:41Maeve?
02:42OK, Shona Murray, thank you so much for that live update.
02:44We'll come back to you a little bit later in the programme, so don't go far.
02:47But now we'd like to hear the reactions from the Ukrainians.
02:50So we have actually our Ukraine correspondent, Sasha Vaglino, with us here on set.
02:54Good morning, Sasha.
02:55So what does this ultimatum from the Hungarians and Slovakians mean for Ukraine?
02:59Well, Ukraine firmly rejected and condemned it, saying that this is the energy blackmail.
03:04This is the term that was used by Key to describe what's happening.
03:08Ukrainian officials said that such actions in the context of Russia's intensified massive strikes against Ukraine's energy infrastructure are provocative,
03:18irresponsible,
03:18and they do threaten the energy security of the entire region.
03:22Now, in the statement, Ukraine's foreign ministry also said that the governments of Hungary and Slovakia are not only playing
03:29into the hands of the aggressor,
03:31but also harming their own energy companies that supply energy on a commercial basis.
03:36Now, both Slovakia and Hungary are very important in regards to Ukraine.
03:40Slovakia inputs around 17% of Ukraine's electricity inputs, and for Hungary, it's much higher.
03:47It's around 45%.
03:49So these are very important numbers there.
03:51And at the same time, we have to say that Ukraine is paying commercial price for those electricity inputs.
03:57This is what the Ukrainian foreign ministry is referring to there.
03:59At the same time, Kyiv said that the repairments on the Druzhva pipeline are continuing,
04:03also pointing out that it's not Ukraine's fault that it was damaged.
04:06This happened during Russian strike on the 27th of January.
04:10And also, Kyiv did offer the European Union an alternative, saying that temporarily the systems of Odessa-Bråde pipeline could
04:18also be used to make sure that those transit can continue.
04:22Okay, Sasha. Sasha Vakilina, thank you so much for that update.
04:25And to dive even deeper into this topic, coming up, we'll be joined by Maria Malmer-Stenegard, the Foreign Minister
04:32of Sweden,
04:33a former Minister for Migration known for tightening reforms of Sweden's migration system.
04:38Maria Malmer-Stenegard has been in the foreign ministry since 2024, mostly focused on Sweden's NATO membership and, of course,
04:46on efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
04:48Good morning, Minister. Welcome to Europe Today.
04:50Thank you so much. Great to be here.
04:52Great to have you with us here on the programme.
04:54Today, of course, a big day for you.
04:56We're expecting tense talks in that foreign affairs minister.
04:58It was meant to be just a formality, really, to sign off on this sanctions package.
05:03What about this blockage, though, coming from Hungary and Slovakia?
05:06Well, I think it's a shame how they behave.
05:09I mean, every delay that we have in the adoption of a sanctions package is a failure for Europe.
05:16We need to increase the support for Ukraine.
05:19We need to increase the pressure on Russia, hence the sanctions.
05:22And I expect them to behave like Europeans today, but I'm not sure.
05:28And Sweden and Finland, you push very hard for this latest package of sanctions.
05:32Will you see it then as a personal failure as well if you can't get it through?
05:36Well, I only think about the Ukrainians.
05:38And every day that passes when we don't put the maximum amount of pressure on Russia is a failure.
05:45So we proposed from Swedish and Finnish side, we proposed, I would say, three things.
05:50So it's the full services maritime ban.
05:52And then it's stopping the import of fertilizers, which is still the third biggest import from Russia, feeding the Russian
06:01war economy.
06:02And then number three, stopping the export of luxury products from Europe to Russia, because I think it's a shame
06:12that they can still go on shopping as usual.
06:14And this announcement was meant to be made by Ursula von der Leyen tomorrow, symbolically in Kyiv, four years since
06:20the full-scale invasion began.
06:22Will she have to go now empty-handed?
06:24We don't know yet.
06:25I'm always optimistic.
06:27I really hope that we can put enough pressure on these two countries, but we'll see.
06:35There is this council meeting today, and then tonight the ambassadors will meet again.
06:39So I've not given up yet.
06:41Because it's not just the sanction package we're talking about, it's also the 90 billion euro lifeline that Hungary is
06:46now blocking.
06:47And we have decided upon that.
06:49So it's a disgrace that they don't let it pass.
06:54But we will continue to put pressure on them.
06:56I'm afraid that there is a lot of domestic politics in all of this, with elections coming up in Hungary.
07:03And it's a frustration, of course, when we see that Ukrainians are suffering every day.
07:10And also that Russia is getting weaker and weaker.
07:13So now is the time to change the calculus.
07:17And what about the talks to end the war, the U.S. brokerage talks?
07:20Any faith in them?
07:21And is it time to have an EU envoy to speak to Vladimir Putin?
07:25Well, the main problem is, regardless of who is there to talk, is that Russia still doesn't want peace.
07:31That is why we need to change this calculus, like I said.
07:35And this war has been a strategic mistake from the beginning for Russia, because they wanted a Russian Ukraine.
07:45They got a European Ukraine.
07:46They wanted to stop the expansion of NATO.
07:49They got Sweden and Finland in NATO.
07:52They have lost allies.
07:53They have lost influence.
07:54They have lost over one million lives.
07:59So we still need to put more pressure on them, because they are weakening.
08:04And that is the only way to have them interested in serious talks about peace.
08:09And what about EU membership for Ukraine?
08:11Would you support this by 2027?
08:14We are great supporters of EU membership for Ukraine, and we also support their path towards EU membership.
08:21I mean, still, it's a merits-based process.
08:23It's important that they can reach the levels that are required in different areas.
08:30But we will do everything we can to make sure that they will be able to become members.
08:35But 2027 not realistic?
08:37It's a very early date, but we will support them in any way to make sure that they can reach
08:45that goal.
08:46And just, Minister, another big story we're following here on Euronews.
08:49The big announcement from Donald Trump regarding the new global tariffs.
08:52How should the EU respond to that?
08:54With unity and with strength, like we've done before.
08:59But let me be very clear.
09:01Tariffs are taxes.
09:02They are very harmful for businesses, for consumers, and for the economy overall.
09:10I mean, now I expect the US to explain what is the way forward for them.
09:16But, of course, we want to have less tariffs.
09:21Well, what I prefer is no tariffs.
09:24And if there are more tariffs, should the EU use more stricter tools?
09:30A trade war is not what we need.
09:33But, if needed, we should be able to show strength and, above all, unity.
09:39Okay, Minister Nuttman, senior words.
09:40Thank you so much for coming into us today on Europe Today.
09:42All the best for that Foreign Affairs Minister's meeting.
09:45But as you heard there, Brussels a little bit in wait and see mode over that fresh announcement from Donald
09:50Trump about global tariffs.
09:51Senior trade MEPs have been telling us here at Euronews that they're staying calm so as not to add fuel
09:56to the fire.
09:57But there is a big debate now on whether or not to freeze the EU-US trade deal.
10:01For analysis shortly, we'll be joined here on set by our EU news editor, Maria Tadeo.
10:06But first, a quick refresher on what exactly is going on.
10:09Jakub Janus reports.
10:12In Soviet Russia, there was a famous joke.
10:15You turn on the radio and hear about Lenin.
10:18You open the newspaper and read about Lenin.
10:21Now I'm terrified to open my fridge.
10:24These days, one could say the same about Donald Trump and his global tariffs.
10:29Because after a US Supreme Court ruling called his last week tariffs unconstitutional,
10:35Trump simply doubled down and announced a new 15% import tax anyway.
10:41So what actually happened and how it will affect you?
10:44The Supreme Court ruled that the US Constitution gives the power of taxation strictly to Congress, not the President.
10:53By using emergency laws to tax the world, Trump overstepped his authority.
10:59And for the EU, this creates chaos.
11:01Last summer's still unratified EU-US trade deal capping tariffs at 15% is now in legal limbo.
11:10And with those powers voided, the European Commission is asking now for clarity,
11:16as European companies could potentially get billions in refunds for the tariffs they already paid.
11:22But here is the catch.
11:24This doesn't affect Trump's older tariffs on steel, aluminium and cars, which relied on completely different laws.
11:33But even with a conservative Republican-nominated majority, the Supreme Court still ruled against Trump.
11:40And in response, he publicly attacked the very justices appointed by Republican presidents.
11:46They're just being fools and lapdogs for the rhinos and the radical left Democrats.
11:51So, back to that fridge joke.
11:54If these new tariffs hold, expect whatever the EU imports from the US to get more expensive.
12:00But there is hope.
12:02Danish shoppers are now using a new app that scans products to help you easily find local alternatives to US
12:09imports.
12:10So perhaps it's time for Europe to follow the famous motto.
12:15Improvise.
12:16Adapt.
12:16Overcome.
12:22Yeah, I could be honest reporting there.
12:23And to hear now what the EU could do, or at least hear what tools they have at their disposal,
12:27I'm joined here on set by our EU news editor, Maria Tadeo.
12:31Good morning, Maria.
12:31Good morning.
12:32So, look, we heard there about this causing chaos in Brussels.
12:35What are you hearing?
12:35Well, it is chaos because, Maeve, there are two big questions this morning.
12:40One is the validity of the deal that was made between the European Union and the US last year.
12:45And then, of course, a question of refunds, which is not a minor question for European companies.
12:50And when you look at that ruling on Friday, of course, the Supreme Court does not enter the merit of
12:55the tariffs.
12:55It does not say whether this is good or right policy, whether this was wrong or right.
12:59But it does say that the way in which these tariffs were designed, it is illegal.
13:04It's been struck down.
13:04The issue is that, of course, those Liberation Day tariffs were the basis of that deal that the EU and
13:10the United States cut in the summer, 15% tariff that was included in that package.
13:16But over the weekend, I spoke to a number of lawyers who told me, look, if the legal basis changes,
13:21you could argue that deal in many ways no longer applies.
13:25So there is a question of the validity of it going forward when it comes to the refunds.
13:29European companies have been paying that 15% threshold.
13:33Remember, tariffs basically tripled for European companies since the end of last summer.
13:38They could say, I want to get a refund.
13:41Who's going to pay that differentiation between the tariffs that were now put over the weekend to sort of salvo
13:46the situation from the US and the tariffs that have already been paid?
13:49And then, of course, we cannot forget that this deal also included a broader agreement, which also meant investments in
13:56the US when it comes to Europe and also the purchases of energy.
14:00What the European Parliament is saying, and there will be a meeting today, is that this is not the right
14:04time for the full implementation of this deal because, again, the legal basis has changed.
14:09So there's a lot of questions.
14:11The United States also conceded over the weekend.
14:13They do not have an answer to these questions.
14:15And then, of course, this deal, which was vilified last summer.
14:18Remember, Europe and the Commission was accused of selling out the European Union.
14:22This was a deal objectively tilted in favour of the US.
14:26The argument at the time was it's going to provide certainty and clarity.
14:29Well, this morning, I would argue, is the complete opposite.
14:32There's not a lot of certainty.
14:33There is not, no, Maria Tadale.
14:35Thank you so much for that update and for more, of course, do take a look at yournews.com.
14:39But now, as promised, it is time to head back over to the European Council Foreign Affairs meeting here in
14:44Brussels and bring back our Shona Murray,
14:46who's been catching up with foreign ministers as they arrive there on the red carpet.
14:50Shona, what's the latest?
14:53Well, good morning, Maeve, and welcome back to this Foreign Affairs Minister's meeting on the eve of the fourth anniversary
14:58of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
15:00And I'm joined now by the Foreign Affairs Minister of Lithuania, Minister Budris, who, of course, Lithuania is a frontline
15:06country minister.
15:07Just tell us, first of all, your reaction to that bombshell announcement by Hungary over the weekend on Friday about
15:13blocking this lifeline loan.
15:14That was very frustrating, of course, and we were expecting that everything was already prepared for the fourth anniversary,
15:21and we will be ready to deliver new sanctions package, 20 sanctions package, and also 90 billion euros loan to
15:28Ukraine.
15:28And that will be something to show that Europe is solid, Europe is resolved, and we can deliver.
15:35Now we cannot, and this is really frustrating.
15:37On the other hand, it's not the first time when we see one country blocking our collective action for the
15:43internal politics,
15:45I don't know for what reasons, but they're absolutely in opposite to European security interests.
15:50And we have to be very honest about it, whether we are still the family of the countries that are
15:54sharing the values,
15:55sharing the security interests, and sharing the future, whether we are in 27 really effective,
16:01because we cannot be disrupted each time by these vetoes.
16:04Indeed, you told me just a few minutes ago that you will look your Hungarian foreign affairs minister in the
16:09eye,
16:09Peter Sarto. What do you say to him today?
16:12That's what we expect from the partners, what we expect from the European Union,
16:16and we expect a clear explanation of how it contradicts their national interests,
16:21because this is the only reason how you can block the collective action.
16:25And we saw so many times this exploitation of the principle of unanimity.
16:29We have to review whether we have to review the very decision-making process,
16:34or we have to review the powers of one of the member states,
16:38because we cannot continue like this, because so many difficult issues are in front of us.
16:43So that is actually the key question here.
16:45That's what everybody I've spoken to over the weekend is saying.
16:48This cannot go on, that one country can use and abuse the veto.
16:51What should the solution be in relation to Hungary, because it is the country that does it the most?
16:56We have to go into the discussion about the decision-making in the common foreign security policy
17:01and whether we should move to QMV.
17:03Lithuania was one of the biggest skeptics, and we were supporters of unanimity.
17:08Now I see how it is disrupted each time.
17:12Now I'm also leaning to the position that we should use more QMV.
17:15Another thing is the principles that we have in Article 7,
17:19what allows us to reduce the voting rights of one of the member if we cannot proceed further.
17:24Because with Article 7, just to interrupt you there,
17:26I mean, it's not been possible to get a consensus there, or even a two-thirds majority.
17:31Do you think that might have changed, that EU member states are a bit more frustrated with Hungary,
17:35that they might push for this?
17:36When I see the faces across the table, I understand what is beneath there,
17:41what will be the precedent for the future, but we cannot block ourselves,
17:45because otherwise we would move to other formats to make a decision, but not the EU.
17:49It means that it will be the end for EU as geopolitical actor in the future.
17:52So this is what is at stake.
17:54I'm not even mentioning the European security architecture in the future.
17:57So this is a real tough issue.
17:59If we cannot proceed, we cannot each time prepare some carrots to the donkey to move further.
18:06So we have to, you know, take also sticks.
18:08Okay, so what is the immediate resolution to this?
18:11Okay, because if this 90 billion euro loan is blocked,
18:14we know that Ukraine is going to run out of money within the next six to eight weeks.
18:17What's the solution?
18:18Is it bilateral loans from member states?
18:20I mean, what to do?
18:22I still have the hope.
18:24I'm optimistic that we will proceed further.
18:26There are some certain instruments that the European Commission has,
18:29and there are some interests also of Hungary, what they want to receive from the European Union.
18:35So I'm optimistic that we will get there.
18:37But we are late, because Ukrainians need money right now.
18:40And of course there are, you know, bilateral tracks.
18:42And on this one, we also have to be really honest.
18:45Those are Nordic, Baltic countries, Germany, Netherlands, probably, Poland, some others I won't name, everyone.
18:51But not every country supports Ukraine at the same level.
18:55Some of them, you know, only, you know, talk more than or invest some other material, but not the finances.
19:02They need a hard currency and money.
19:04OK, Minister for Lithuania, thank you very much for joining us on Euronews.
19:07And back to you, Maeve.
19:09Thank you so much, Shona Murray.
19:11And of course to the Lithuanian Foreign Minister, Kestusti Spudrys, there.
19:14For more on those awkward conversations taking place inside that foreign ministers meeting in Brussels,
19:19do keep an eye on Euronews.com.
19:21And tune in tomorrow morning.
19:22We'll have a very special edition of Europe Today,
19:25focused on the impact the full-scale war on Ukraine has had and what it means as well for the
19:30EU.
19:30Thanks so much for watching.
19:31Take care.
19:32Bye from Brussels.
19:32Bye from Brussels.
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