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Europe Today: I ministri degli Esteri dell'Ue si riuniscono mentre Ungheria e Slovacchia bloccano il prestito all'Ucraina
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ALTRE INFORMAZIONI : http://it.euronews.com/2026/02/23/europe-today-i-ministri-degli-esteri-dellue-si-riuniscono-mentre-ungheria-e-slovacchia-blo
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Consueto appuntamento col programma mattutino di punta di Euronews. Alle 8 del mattino, ora di Bruxelles. In soli 20 minuti, vi aggiorniamo sulle principali notizie del giorno.
ALTRE INFORMAZIONI : http://it.euronews.com/2026/02/23/europe-today-i-ministri-degli-esteri-dellue-si-riuniscono-mentre-ungheria-e-slovacchia-blo
Abbonati, euronews è disponibile in 12 lingue.
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00:14Buongiorno, it's Monday 23rd 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
00:32wave of sanctions against Russia. But there is a spanner in the works. Hungary is blocking a 90
00:39billion lifeline for Ukraine and Hungary and Slovakia are blocking a new sanctions package
00:44until Kiev resumes Russian oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia. The Hungarian Prime Minister
00:49Viktor Orban, who's in the middle of an election campaign, has also asked for several Russian
00:53names to be removed from the EU blacklist. For more on this, we can cross straight over
00:58to the European Council, where your news correspondent Shona Murray is standing by. Shona, quite a twist
01:03here, given President von der Leyen was hoping to make a big announcement tomorrow in Kiev.
01:08Remind us what exactly is at stake today?
01:12Well, that's right, Maeve. This is going to be a very difficult EU foreign affairs ministers
01:15meeting, not the one that they'd hoped for. Given that bombshell announcement on Friday
01:20and all over the weekend by the Hungarian government that it would block major consequential decisions
01:25in relation to Ukraine. And yesterday we heard from the Hungarian foreign affairs minister doubling
01:30down on that, saying until Ukraine resumes oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia via the
01:35Drozma pipeline will not allow decisions important to Kiev to move forward. And as you mentioned there,
01:40they're blocking that 90 billion euro lifeline loan for Ukraine, which was negotiated with great
01:45fanfare just before Christmas and endorsed by all 27 EU member states. Although Hungary and Slovakia,
01:50won't be getting involved in it. That money is so important because Ukraine will run out of cash
01:57within the next six to eight weeks. It 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, there are both then Slovakia and Hungary then blocking the passage of the 20th
02:10sanctions package in relation to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. And the EU had hoped
02:15that this would be passed by the anniversary of the fourth and the four of the full-scale invasion,
02:20which is of course tomorrow. That doesn't look like it's going to materialise, even though EU
02:23officials said that they'd made huge progress in this. So officials I've spoken to again have said
02:28that really this is an inflammatory move by Hungary, but also very much exposes the vulnerabilities
02:33around the European Union and the decision-making process that one country can veto something
02:38so consequential for Europe at this point.
02:41Maeve?
02:42Okay, Shona Marie, thank you so much for that live update. We'll come back to you a little bit later
02:46in the programme, so don't go far. But now we'd like to hear the reactions from the Ukrainians.
02:50So we have actually our Ukraine correspondent, Sasha Vaglina, with us here on set.
02:54Good morning, Sasha. So 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. This
03:05is the term that was used by Key to describe what's happening. Ukrainian officials said that
03:09such actions in the context of Russia's intensified massive strikes against Ukraine's energy
03:15infrastructure are provocative, irresponsible, and they do threaten the energy security of the entire
03:22region. Now, in the statement, Ukraine's foreign ministry also said that the governments of
03:28Hungary and Slovakia are not only playing into the hands of the aggressor, but also harming their
03:32own energy companies that supply energy on a commercial basis. Now, both Slovakia and Hungary
03:38are very important in this regard to Ukraine. Slovakia inputs around 17% of Ukraine's electricity
03:44inputs. And for Hungary, it's much higher. It's around 45%. So these are very important numbers there.
03:52And at the same time, we have to say that Ukraine is paying commercial price for those electricity
03:56inputs. This is what the Ukrainian foreign ministry is referring to there. At the same time,
04:00Kyiv said that the repairments on the Druze pipeline are continuing, also pointing out that
04:04it's not Ukraine's fault that it was damaged. This happened during Russian strike on the 27th of
04:09January. And also, Kyiv did offer the European Union an alternative, saying that temporarily the systems
04:16of Odessa-Brode pipeline could also be used to make sure that those transit can continue.
04:22Okay, Sascha. Sascha Vakilina, thank you so much for that update. And to dive even deeper into this
04:27topic coming up, we'll be joined by Maria Malmer-Stenegard, the Foreign Minister of Sweden, a former Minister
04:34for Migration known for tightening reforms of Sweden's migration system. Maria Malmer-Stenegard has been in
04:40the Foreign Ministry since 2024, mostly focused on Sweden's NATO membership, and of course, on efforts to end
04:47the war in Ukraine. Good morning, Minister. Welcome to Europe Today. Thank you so much. Great to be here.
04:52Great to have you with us here on the programme. Today, of course, a big day for you. We're expecting
04:56tense talks in that Foreign Affairs Minister. It was meant to be just a formality, really, to sign off
05:01on this sanctions package. What about this blockage, though, coming from Hungary and Slovakia?
05:07Well, I think it's a shame how they behave. I mean, every delay that we have in the adoption
05:13of a sanctions package is a failure for Europe. We need to increase the support for Ukraine. We need
05:19to increase the pressure on Russia, hence the sanctions. And I expect them to behave like
05:25Europeans today, but I'm not sure. And Sweden and Finland, you push very hard for this latest
05:31package of sanctions. Will 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. And every day that passes when we don't put the maximum
05:42amount of pressure on Russia is a failure. So we proposed from Swedish and Finnish side,
05:48we proposed, I would say three things. So it's the full services maritime ban. And then it's stopping
05:55the import of fertilisers, which is still the third biggest import from Russia, feeding the Russian
06:01war economy. And then number three, stopping the export of luxury products from Europe to Russia,
06:10because I think it's a shame that they can still go on shopping as usual.
06:15And this announcement was meant to be made by Ursula von der Leyen tomorrow, symbolically in Kyiv,
06:19four years since the full-scale invasion began. Will she have to go now empty-handed?
06:24We don't know yet. I'm always optimistic. I really hope that we can put enough pressure on these two
06:32countries. But we'll see. There is this council meeting today. And then tonight, the ambassadors
06:38will meet again. So I've not given up yet. Because it's not just the sanction package we're talking
06:43about. It's also the 90 billion euro lifeline that Hungary is now blocking.
06:47And we have decided upon that. So it's a disgrace that they don't let it pass. But we will continue
06:55to put pressure on them. I'm afraid that there is a lot of domestic politics in all of this,
07:01with elections coming up in Hungary. And it's a frustration, of course, when we see that Ukrainians
07:08are suffering every day. And also that Russia is getting weaker and weaker. So now is the time
07:15to change the calculus.
07:17And what about the talks to end the war, the US-brokered talks? Any faith in them? And is
07:22it 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
07:31peace. That is why we need to change this calculus, like I said. And this war has been a strategic
07:39mistake from the beginning for Russia, because they wanted a Russian-Ukraine. They got a
07:45European-Ukraine. They wanted to stop the expansion of NATO. They got Sweden and Finland in NATO.
07:52They have lost allies. They have lost influence. They have lost over one million lives. So we still
08:00need to put more pressure on them, because they are weakening. And that is the only way to have them
08:06interested in serious talks about peace.
08:09And what about EU membership for Ukraine? Would you support this by 2027?
08:14We are great supporters of EU membership for Ukraine. And we also support their path towards
08:21EU membership. I mean, still, it's a merits-based process. It's important that they can reach the
08:27levels that are required in different areas. But we will do everything we can to make sure
08:32that 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, the big announcement from Donald
08:50Trump regarding the new global tariffs. How should the EU respond to that?
08:54With unity and with strength, like we've done before. But let me be very clear. Tariffs are taxes.
09:02They are very harmful for businesses, for consumers, and for the economy overall. I mean,
09:10I expect the US to explain what is the way forward for them. But of course, we want to have
09:19less tariffs.
09:21Well, what I prefer is no tariffs.
09:25And if there are more tariffs, should the EU use more stricter tools?
09:30A trade war is not what we need. But if needed, we should be able to show strength and above
09:37all unity.
09:38Okay, Minister, not mentioning your words. Thank you so much for coming into us today on Europe Today.
09:42All the best for that foreign affairs minister's meeting. But as you heard there,
09:46Brussels a little bit in wait and see mode over that fresh announcement from Donald Trump about global
09:51tariffs. Senior trade MEPs have been telling us here at Euronews that they're staying calm so as
09:55not to add fuel to the fire. But there is a big debate now on whether or not to freeze
10:00the 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. Jakub Yanis reports.
10:12In Soviet Russia, there was a famous joke. You turn on the radio and hear about Lenin.
10:18You open the newspaper and read about Lenin. Now 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?
10:45The Supreme Court ruled that the US Constitution gives the power of taxation strictly to Congress,
10:52not the president. By using emergency laws to tax the world, Trump overstepped his authority.
10:59And for the EU, this creates chaos. Last summer's still-unratified EU-US trade deal
11:06capping tariffs at 15% is now in legal limbo. And with those powers voided,
11:12the European Commission is asking now for clarity, as European companies could potentially get
11:19billions in refunds for the tariffs they already paid. But here is the catch. This doesn't affect
11:25Trump's older tariffs on steel, aluminium and cars, which relied on completely different laws.
11:32But even with a conservative Republican-nominated majority, the Supreme Court still ruled against
11:40Trump. And 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.
11:52So back to that fridge joke. If these new tariffs hold, expect whatever the EU imports from the US to
11:59get
11:59more expensive. But there is hope. Danish shoppers are now using a new app that scans products to
12:06help you easily find local alternatives to US imports. So perhaps it's time for Europe to follow
12:13the famous motto. Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.
12:22Jakob Janis reporting there. And to hear now what the EU could do, or at least hear what tools
12:26they have at their disposal. I'm joined here on set by our EU news editor, Maria Tadeo.
12:31Good morning, Maria. Good morning.
12:32So look, we heard there about this causing chaos in Brussels. What are you hearing?
12:36Well, it is chaos because, Maeve, there are two big questions this morning. One is the validity of
12:41the deal that was made between the European Union and the US last year. And then, of course,
12:46a question of refunds, which is not a minor question for European companies. And when you look at
12:51that ruling on Friday, of course, the Supreme Court does not enter the merit of the tariffs. It does
12:56not say whether this is good or right policy, whether this was wrong or right. But it does say
13:00that the way in which these tariffs were designed, it is illegal. It's been struck down. The issue is
13:05that, of course, those Liberation Day tariffs were the basis of that deal that the EU and the United
13:10States cut in the summer, 15 percent tariff that was included in that package. But over the weekend,
13:17I spoke to a number of lawyers who told me, look, if the legal basis changes, you could argue that
13:22deal
13:23in many ways no longer applies. So there is a question of the validity of it going forward. When it
13:28comes
13:29to the refunds, European companies have been paying that 15 percent threshold. Remember, tariffs basically
13:35tripled for European companies since the end of last summer. They 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
13:45sort of salvo the situation from the U.S. and the tariffs that have already been paid? And then,
13:50of course, we cannot forget that this deal also included a broader agreement, which also meant
13:55investments in the U.S. when it comes to Europe and also the purchases of energy. What the European
14:00parliament is saying and there will be a meeting today is that this is not the right time for the
14:06full implementation of this deal because, again, the legal basis has changed. So there's a lot of
14:10questions. The United States also conceded over the weekend. They do not have an answer to these
14:15questions. And then, of course, this deal, which was vilified last summer. Remember, Europe and the
14:19commission was accused of selling out the European Union. This was a deal objectively tilted in favor of
14:25the U.S. The argument at the time was it's going to provide certainty and clarity. Well,
14:29this morning, I would argue, is the complete opposite. There's not a lot of certainty.
14:33There is not, no, Maria. Thank you so much for that update. And for more, of course,
14:37do take a look at yournews.com. But now, as promised, it is time to head back over to the
14:42European Council foreign affairs meeting here in Brussels and bring back our Shona Murray,
14:47who's been catching up with foreign ministers as they arrive there on the red carpet. Shona,
14:51what's the latest? Well, good morning, Maeve, and welcome back to this foreign affairs ministers
14:56meeting on the eve of the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. And I'm
15:00joined now by the foreign affairs minister of Lithuania, Minister Budris, who, of course,
15:05Lithuania is a frontline country minister. Just tell us, first of all, your reaction to that
15:10bombshell announcement by Hungary over the weekend on Friday about blocking this lifeline loan.
15:14That was very frustrating, of course. And we were expecting that everything was already prepared
15:19for the fourth anniversary, and we will be ready to deliver new sanctions package, 20 sanctions package,
15:25and also 90 billion euros loan to Ukraine. And that will be something to show that Europe is solid,
15:31Europe is resolved, and we can deliver. Now we cannot. And this is really frustrating. On the other hand,
15:38it's not the first time when we see one country blocking our collective action for the internal
15:44politics. I don't know for what reasons, but they're absolutely in opposite to European security
15:49interests. And we have to be very honest about it, whether we are still the family of the countries
15:54that are sharing the values, sharing the security interests, and sharing the future, whether we are
15:59in 27 really effective, because we cannot be disrupted each time by these vetoes. Indeed,
16:04you told me just a few minutes ago that you will look the Hungarian Foreign Affairs Minister in the eye,
16:10Peter Sarto. What do you say to him today? That's what we expect from the partners,
16:15what we expect from the European Union. And we expect a clear explanation of how it contradicts
16:19their national interests, because 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. We have to review whether we
16:32have to review the very decision-making process. Now we have to review the powers of one of the
16:37member states, because we cannot continue like this, because so many difficult issues are in front of us.
16:44So that is actually the key question here. That's what everybody I've spoken to over the weekend is
16:47saying. This cannot go on, that one country can use and abuse the veto. What should the solution be in
16:53relation 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 common foreign security policy
17:01and whether we should move to QMV. Lithuania was one of the biggest skeptics, and we were supporters of
17:07unanimity. Now I see how it is disrupted each time. Now I'm also leaning to the position that we should
17:14use more QMV. Another thing is the principles that we have in Article 7, what allows us to reduce the
17:22voting
17:22rights of one of the members if we cannot proceed further. Because with Article 7, just to interrupt you
17:26there, I mean it's not been possible to get a consensus there, or even a two-thirds majority. Do you
17:31think that might have changed that EU member states are a bit more frustrated with Hungary that they
17:35might push for this? When 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, because otherwise we would
17:46move to other formats to make a decision, but not the EU. It means that it will be the end
17:50for
17:50US geopolitical actor in the future. So this is what is at stake. I'm not even mentioning the
17:55European security architecture in the future. So this is a real tough issue. If we cannot proceed,
18:01we cannot each time prepare some carrots to the donkey to move further. So we have to, you know,
18:07take also sticks. Okay, so what is the immediate resolution to this? Okay, because if this 90 billion
18:12euro loan is blocked, we know that Ukraine is going to run out of money within the next six to
18:16eight
18:16weeks. What's the solution? Is it bilateral loans from member states? I mean, what to do?
18:22I still have the hope, I'm optimistic that we will proceed further. There are some certain
18:27instruments that the European Commission has, and there are some interests also of Hungary,
18:32what they want to receive from the European Union. So I'm optimistic that we will get there. But we are
18:37late, because Ukrainians need money right now. And of course, there are, you know, bilateral
18:42tracks. And on this one, we also have to be really honest. Those are Nordic Baltic countries,
18:47Germany, Netherlands, probably Poland, some others, I won't name everyone, but not every,
18:52every country supports Ukraine at the same level. Now, some of them, you know, only, you know,
18:58talk more than or invest some other material, but not the finances. They need a hard currency and money.
19:04Okay, Minister for Lithuania, thank you very much for joining us on Euronews. And back to you, Maeve.
19:09Thank you so much, Shona Murray. And of course, to the Lithuanian Foreign Minister,
19:13Kestusti Tbudrys there. For more on those awkward conversations taking place inside that foreign
19:17ministers meeting in Brussels, do keep an eye on Euronews.com. And tune in tomorrow morning,
19:22we'll have a very special edition of Europe Today, focused on the impact the full-scale war
19:27on Ukraine has had, and what it means as well for the EU. Thanks so much for watching. Take care.
19:32Bye from Brussels.
19:35We'll be here.
19:44Grazie a tutti.
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