- 11 hours ago
Ukraine in the EU - A question of when or if?
In this episode of The Ring, brought to you from the European Parliament in Brussels, we focus on Ukraine’s EU path, with MEPs Petras Auštrevičius (Renew Europe) and Aurelijus Veryga (ECR).
READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2026/02/25/ukraine-in-the-eu-a-question-of-when-or-if
Subscribe to our channel. Euronews is available on Dailymotion in 12 languages
In this episode of The Ring, brought to you from the European Parliament in Brussels, we focus on Ukraine’s EU path, with MEPs Petras Auštrevičius (Renew Europe) and Aurelijus Veryga (ECR).
READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2026/02/25/ukraine-in-the-eu-a-question-of-when-or-if
Subscribe to our channel. Euronews is available on Dailymotion in 12 languages
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NewsTranscript
00:08Hello there and welcome to The Ring, Eurignies' debating show broadcasting here from the European Parliament in Brussels.
00:16Once a week, elected members of the European Parliament go head-to-head on some of the major issues facing
00:23the European Union today.
00:24This week, we hone in on Ukraine, as this week marks four years since Russia's full-scale illegal invasion of
00:32Ukraine.
00:32With peace talks having reached stalemate, another question looms here in the corridors of the European Parliament.
00:39Should Ukraine be given fast-track membership into the European Union?
00:43Luis Alberto Sanna-Maya-Tabariya report.
00:47Four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine,
00:51enlargement has shifted from a distant policy debate to a strategic imperative for the European Union.
00:58What was once treated as a slow, technical process is now bound up with questions of war, security and Europe's
01:06geopolitical future.
01:08Granting Ukraine candidate status in June 2022 was more than symbolic.
01:13It was a signal that the EU sees its borders and its security as intertwined.
01:19But turning that promise into membership will require sweeping reforms from Kyiv,
01:25while the EU must prepare for the financial and institutional impact of absorbing a large war-scarred country.
01:32Supporters argue that enlargement bolsters fragile democracies,
01:36deters further Russian aggression and strengthens Europe's global weight.
01:40Critics warn of overstretched budgets, strained decision-making and public backlash
01:45in member states already wary of deeper integration.
01:48Has enlargement become a measure not just of solidarity with Ukraine,
01:52but of the EU's capacity to act strategically in an uncertain world?
02:00That is the question that we have for our contenders.
02:03Let's meet them.
02:06Petrus Ostevichis, a Lithuanian MEP from the Liberal Renew Europe Group.
02:09A career diplomat, he sits on key committees including foreign affairs and security and defense
02:14at the European Parliament.
02:16Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, he advocates EU support for Kyiv.
02:21As a rapporteur of the draft report on the EU enlargement strategy,
02:24Ostevichis stated,
02:25The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the ongoing significant geopolitical shifts
02:30have prompted a new dynamism in the enlargement process.
02:33Enlargement is a geostrategic investment in peace, security, stability and prosperity.
02:40Aurelius Veriga, a Lithuanian MEP from the European Conservatives and Reformists Group.
02:44He has expressed his backing for continued EU support for Ukraine.
02:48While emphasizing the need for merit-based progress and adherence to EU standards,
02:52Veriga has participated in parliamentary resolutions reaffirming the EU's steadfast support to Ukraine
02:58and recognizing the advancing reforms and fulfilling accession criteria
03:01will be key to Ukraine's future integration into the Union.
03:07So, Petros Austrovichis and Aurelius Veriga, welcome to The Ring.
03:11Hello, hello, hello.
03:12Look, the idea here is to give our viewers just a taste of what exactly goes on in the European
03:17Parliament,
03:18what you do when you debate, what you discuss.
03:20So, let's get started.
03:21Petros, should Ukraine join the European Union by 2027?
03:25I mean, I would consider it probably as a start of negotiations.
03:30How long the negotiations will take, what kind of negotiations we will have
03:34and probably what kind of initial membership we will offer to Ukraine, it depends.
03:40It depends.
03:41What about you, sir?
03:42Should Ukraine join by 2027?
03:45Well, I agree with Petros that the target should be ambitious one
03:50because if you set a long-lasting target like 2030 or 2035,
03:57it means that, you know, it lowers our perception how fast we should move.
04:02So, if we say 2027, most probably, technically, it will not happen,
04:07but it adjusts our attempts to speed up.
04:11And why do you think Ukraine should join the European Union?
04:14Well, look, I mean, after the full scale of Russian invasion to Ukraine
04:21and as well as threatening European security,
04:24I think we have absolutely different political description of Europe.
04:28Ukraine is a part of Europe.
04:30To my understanding, Russia never been and is not a part of Europe.
04:34So, that's why, I mean, Ukraine rejoins its family.
04:38And what benefits would Ukrainian membership bring to the European Union?
04:42Well, first of all, if we would look to today's perspective,
04:47first of all, I believe it's safety.
04:49Because EU, actually now, Ukraine fights for the EU safety
04:56in a way that Russia was always threatening,
05:01at least the Baltic countries,
05:04but also other EU member states like Finland or Poland.
05:08So, Ukraine joining the EU, first of all, would mean the security.
05:14Because now Ukraine, I would say,
05:17is the most advanced country in fighting Russia's aggression.
05:24They do have experience.
05:25So, this is the security and safety issue.
05:28And then, it's a huge economy.
05:31It's a huge possibility for the EU itself
05:35with the new possibilities to expand, you know,
05:40the economical growth for the EU itself.
05:44And do all your colleagues in the ECR,
05:46the Conservatives, support your view here?
05:47I believe most of them, yes.
05:50Because, you know, everybody would like to see Europe safe.
05:54ECR was always on this issue very consistent,
05:59supporting Ukraine, fighting Russia's aggression.
06:01So, I believe, yes.
06:03But one thing is defence and security.
06:05Another point is, of course,
06:06the functioning of the EU institutions,
06:08taking in such a huge member.
06:10How would even this parliament function then?
06:12Well, probably, the EU must change as well.
06:16Look, we are not a law firm.
06:20We are not.
06:21Although, I mean, a key communitaire
06:23is fundamentally important for the European Union.
06:26We stand, I mean, on the rule of law,
06:28on principles of law, and so on and so forth.
06:31But the world is changing.
06:33So, we become more geopolitical.
06:35So, we need, I mean, to increase,
06:37I mean, the EU needs bigger power,
06:39bigger geopolitical power.
06:42So, we need more partners.
06:43And probably, partners like Ukraine
06:46might change the European Union as well
06:48for much better.
06:50Not just Ukraine itself will be reforming
06:52and transforming,
06:53but the European Union will receive
06:55a kind of impetus, I mean,
06:56a positive impetus for a change,
07:00politically, economically,
07:01and from the security point of view.
07:03And critics are arguing that
07:04the Commission is trying to power grab
07:06a little bit of that power.
07:07What would you say to that?
07:08The world has changed a lot,
07:11not just because of war in Ukraine,
07:13but geopolitics, if we see the broader picture,
07:16is evolving very rapidly.
07:19So, I believe that we are,
07:22as politicians, elected to react
07:25to the new reality
07:27and to adjust politics to the new reality.
07:31React and adjust fast.
07:32Yeah, and adjust fast.
07:35And adjust in a way
07:37to reflect the new reality.
07:40So, how do these adjustments look?
07:43Are we talking here about actual radical reform
07:45of the institutions
07:46before we enlarge?
07:48I believe it could go in a parallel
07:53happening at the same time
07:55because, you know,
07:56we should not confront
07:57the two things
07:59because my fear then
08:00would be that, you know,
08:02some more conservative member states
08:04could use that
08:07as an argument
08:09against, you know,
08:11faster accession.
08:11So, I believe we should find
08:14the balance in this way
08:15going two ways at the same time.
08:18But that's already happening, right?
08:20I still see the European Union
08:22as a bit of sleepy giant.
08:25We have to wake up ourselves,
08:27all right?
08:27This next enlargement
08:30will be definitely different
08:32from the previous ones.
08:33I mean, all previous ones.
08:34It's a chance for you
08:36to transform itself.
08:37So, that's why I would call
08:40this process of internal reforms
08:42and enlargement
08:43like a two-way street.
08:45Same time.
08:46I mean, we shouldn't waste
08:47any time given now.
08:50And, I mean,
08:51transform ourselves
08:52and at the same time
08:53to enlarge.
08:54And can we afford
08:55this enlargement?
08:55I mean, there's big talks
08:56coming up in the next few years
08:58as well over the budget.
08:59I think the budget
09:00is an important issue.
09:02But, again,
09:04we are more than a budget line.
09:06The budget of the European Union
09:08in the future
09:09will be different.
09:09I hope revenues
09:11side will be different.
09:12So, we have to reform
09:14revenue sides of the...
09:15But, will we be able
09:15to afford Ukraine,
09:16which will be a net recipient
09:17for the first couple of years?
09:18I mean, Ukraine is broke.
09:20The 90 billion euro loan
09:22is frozen this week
09:22because of politics.
09:24But, as I said before,
09:25I mean,
09:27incoming enlargement
09:27will be different.
09:28I mean,
09:29listening to the
09:30Ukrainian politicians,
09:31they already
09:31kind of sent a message
09:33that we don't need
09:34much of the support
09:35for agriculture.
09:37And, probably,
09:38it's a good chance.
09:39I mean,
09:39probably seeing
09:41this enlargement
09:44towards Ukraine,
09:46Western Balkans,
09:47it's a chance
09:48to reform
09:48some policies lines
09:50of European Union.
09:51Do you share
09:52that optimism
09:52that this time
09:53it will be different?
09:54If this will not
09:55be different,
09:58I have a fear
09:59we will lose
10:01exactly
10:01that Ukraine
10:02will not become
10:03a member.
10:04Sure.
10:04Because your question
10:06is right to the point.
10:08Ukraine is one
10:09of the biggest,
10:10let's say,
10:11the new possible
10:12member states.
10:14And if we would
10:16follow the same
10:18logic
10:18with the cohesion,
10:20with the agriculture,
10:22most probably
10:23this will not happen.
10:24But at the same time
10:25we should be,
10:26I would say,
10:27more flexible
10:28when we look
10:30also to other areas.
10:31And there could be
10:32also a disagreement
10:33between different
10:34political perspectives
10:36where this flexibility
10:38could happen.
10:39One is the money,
10:41another could be,
10:42I don't know,
10:43the legal systems
10:45or other things
10:46because we understand
10:48Ukraine now
10:49is in the war.
10:50Some territories
10:51most probably
10:52will be lost
10:53at least
10:54for some period of time.
10:55So there will be
10:56a lot of questions.
10:57And many of our viewers
10:58would argue
10:58that you cannot
10:59allow a country
11:00at war
11:01into the European Union.
11:03It will change.
11:04I believe
11:05Ukraine in a final end
11:06will be a winner
11:07in this
11:09against the
11:10Russian aggression.
11:11But the war
11:12is not ending
11:12any time soon
11:13and Ukrainians know that.
11:14We saw that this week.
11:15We saw it on their faces.
11:16We have time.
11:17Let's be patient.
11:18Let's be prudent
11:19in this regard.
11:21Not to, you know,
11:22make any
11:24hectic decisions
11:24or conditionalities
11:26imposed.
11:27Let's take time.
11:28I mean, see
11:28a more distant future.
11:31Okay.
11:31Let me stop you there,
11:32gentlemen,
11:33as we're just getting
11:33warmed up here
11:34on The Ring.
11:39So now it's time
11:40for our viewers
11:40to get a real taste,
11:42as I said,
11:42of European Parliament
11:43chamber debates
11:44where MEPs tend to fire
11:45hard questions
11:46at each other.
11:47That means it's time
11:48for you to directly
11:49challenge each other.
11:51Mr. Verga,
11:51we can start with you.
11:52What's your first question?
11:53Okay, so first question
11:55from my side
11:56would be
11:57what considering
11:59the overall context
12:00of today's geopolitics
12:02could be considered
12:03as a victory
12:04for Ukraine?
12:07I mean...
12:08What means victory?
12:10We have pronounced
12:11many good promises
12:12towards Ukraine.
12:13We said, I mean,
12:14Ukraine is a part of Europe
12:15and so on and so forth.
12:17Now we have to deliver.
12:18We have to prove
12:19our words by deeds,
12:21by actions.
12:22So that's why
12:22we have to open
12:23accession negotiations
12:24as soon as possible,
12:26delivering in this regard
12:28towards Ukraine.
12:29And I believe
12:30everybody,
12:31I mean,
12:32in all around
12:33understand that
12:34this is a dynamic
12:36process,
12:36will be negotiations,
12:38you know,
12:39meetings,
12:40adjustments
12:40and so on and so forth.
12:41But let's start
12:43moving
12:43the sooner the better.
12:45Let's start moving
12:46the sooner the better.
12:47But if I may,
12:47the 90 billion euros
12:48is frozen,
12:49the loan.
12:50What are the other options
12:50on the table?
12:52It's a disaster.
12:53I would call it
12:55absolutely,
12:56you know,
12:57debt end.
12:57I mean,
12:58for decision making
12:59in the European Union.
13:01If I'm correct,
13:02I mean,
13:02those 24 member states
13:04which backed
13:06the 90 billion loan,
13:09they've been told
13:10that, I mean,
13:11there will be no unanimity
13:12needed, I mean,
13:13to vote on this issue.
13:14So now Orban came out
13:16just out of the blue
13:18asking for unanimity votes.
13:20I mean,
13:20what is wrong
13:21with our decision making?
13:22I mean,
13:23I believe Orban
13:25really must be
13:26in the court.
13:27I mean,
13:28for this threatening
13:29and this blackmailing
13:30operation.
13:31And unfortunately,
13:32we don't have
13:32a colleague of Victor Orban
13:34on the show today.
13:35We did invite them,
13:36but unfortunately,
13:36they were not available.
13:37Time for you now
13:38to address your first question.
13:40All right.
13:41So,
13:42Aurelius,
13:42given your political groups,
13:45political,
13:46let's say,
13:48image,
13:48which criteria,
13:50political or economic
13:51should be most decisive
13:53deciding upon
13:55membership of Ukraine
13:57or any new member state?
14:01Well,
14:01good question.
14:03I believe they
14:04are not
14:06separable
14:07because,
14:08you know,
14:09the economic criteria
14:10always comes
14:11from some political
14:12perspectives.
14:13We do have
14:14different beliefs,
14:15the conservative,
14:17more liberal,
14:18more social beliefs,
14:19and even on
14:20economic criteria.
14:21So,
14:21I believe this
14:22should be a mixture.
14:24And,
14:24from my perspective,
14:27I think we should have
14:29more,
14:30let's say,
14:31tactical flexibility
14:32understanding
14:33the needs
14:34of the countries
14:35that are reflecting
14:36more economic
14:37criteria.
14:38I mean,
14:39Poland,
14:40most probably,
14:41or Hungary.
14:42And,
14:43at the same time,
14:44other countries
14:45would probably
14:46prefer mostly
14:47political criteria.
14:48So,
14:48I believe it should
14:49be a mixture.
14:51Would you agree
14:51with that?
14:52I would probably
14:53start from
14:53political criteria
14:54as a starting point.
14:57I mean,
14:57economic criteria,
14:58of course.
14:58I mean,
14:58conversions of new
14:59member states
15:00will take time.
15:01I mean,
15:01let's be realistic.
15:03Now it's time,
15:04Petros Osteviches,
15:04for your next question
15:05for Mr. Verja.
15:06I have a very
15:07provocative one.
15:07Good.
15:08Aurelius,
15:09would you agree
15:10with the kind of
15:12different kind
15:13of membership,
15:14I mean,
15:14second category
15:15of membership,
15:16if to speak about,
15:18for example,
15:19the case of Ukraine?
15:20Well,
15:21I don't know
15:21what that means
15:22because,
15:23you know,
15:23it's devil
15:24is always in details
15:25what that means.
15:26But I would
15:28definitely agree
15:28that the process
15:30should be adjusted
15:31to,
15:33from the previous
15:34times to
15:35nowadays,
15:36and Ukraine
15:36is not
15:37the only,
15:38let's say,
15:39candidate
15:39to access,
15:41so definitely
15:42it would be
15:43to all of them
15:45probably,
15:45yeah,
15:46so we have to
15:46bear that in mind.
15:48But I would
15:48agree that we
15:49should adjust
15:50the processes.
15:51It should be
15:52different
15:52than previous times.
15:54I think it means
15:55it's like giving
15:55Ukraine the key
15:56to the House,
15:57but not allowing
15:57them into
15:58every single room.
15:59So perhaps
16:00being allowed
16:00to sit in
16:01at the summit
16:01but not vote,
16:02for example,
16:02is that something
16:03you would support?
16:03I mean,
16:04it's indeed
16:05devil in details.
16:06I mean,
16:07nobody quarrels
16:08about this,
16:09but to me
16:10it's important,
16:11I mean,
16:11to have a very
16:12clear time
16:13definition,
16:13when this
16:14transition period
16:15will end up.
16:17President Zelensky
16:18already,
16:18I mean,
16:18expressed his
16:20harsh criticism
16:20about secondary
16:21kind of membership.
16:23So that's why
16:23we have to be
16:24sensitive towards this.
16:25We have to treat
16:26each and every
16:26European state
16:28as, you know,
16:29eligible for
16:29full membership.
16:31But let's be
16:32very clear
16:32in criteria
16:33when it ends.
16:34And it's a symbol,
16:35of course,
16:35would be a negative
16:36symbol you could
16:36be sending there
16:37to Ukrainians.
16:38You have another
16:39question now?
16:40I would like to
16:41ask more precisely
16:44you, Petras,
16:45because you have
16:45an experience
16:46in negotiations
16:47when Lithuania
16:48was accessing
16:49the EU.
16:51how would you
16:52see from
16:52your perspective
16:53where Europe
16:55could demonstrate
16:55or should
16:56demonstrate
16:57flexibility
16:58regarding the
16:59requirements of
17:00accession
17:00when we speak
17:01about the new
17:02accessing countries,
17:03new candidates?
17:05I would be very,
17:06you know,
17:07insistent on
17:08democratic criteria.
17:09I mean,
17:09to start negotiations,
17:10there must be some,
17:12you know,
17:12already pre-fulfilling
17:14criteria.
17:15I mean,
17:15it's clear.
17:16I mean,
17:16democracy,
17:17human rights,
17:17I mean,
17:18nothing to negotiate
17:19about.
17:19I mean,
17:20once you fulfill,
17:21you're ready to start.
17:23But then,
17:23on economic criteria,
17:25indeed,
17:25I mean,
17:25it's very fluid
17:27process.
17:28There are good
17:29and bad examples
17:29in this regard
17:30to what comes
17:31to the European
17:32history.
17:33But,
17:34you know,
17:34we have to
17:35impose probably
17:36this kind of
17:37approach of gradual,
17:38differentiated
17:40integration.
17:41So,
17:41letting,
17:42for example,
17:42Ukraine
17:43or other
17:44candidate countries
17:45into the single
17:45markets,
17:46certain parts
17:47of the single
17:48markets,
17:49once they,
17:49you know,
17:50ready,
17:51I mean,
17:51to compete
17:52on a single
17:53market,
17:54not harming
17:54the single
17:55market by
17:56kind of
17:58destruction
17:58factors.
18:00So,
18:00here,
18:00I am more
18:01flexible.
18:02On economic
18:03criteria,
18:04I think it
18:04will be
18:05more lengthy
18:06time-wise
18:07and probably
18:09more in details
18:10if it takes.
18:11Well,
18:11look,
18:12we have heard
18:12the first views
18:13of our MEPs.
18:14It is time
18:15now to bring
18:15in a new
18:16voice.
18:20I'd like to
18:21bring in the
18:21voice of
18:21President Volodymyr
18:22Selenskyj,
18:23speaking alongside
18:24the Commission
18:24President Ursula
18:25von der Leyen
18:26in Kyiv this
18:27week.
18:27He said this
18:28regarding EU
18:29membership.
18:30It is important
18:30to receive a
18:31clear date for
18:32joining the
18:33European Union.
18:34If there is no
18:34date,
18:35if there is no
18:35such guarantee,
18:36Russia will
18:37find a way to
18:38block Ukraine
18:38for decades
18:39by dividing
18:40you,
18:40by dividing
18:41Europe.
18:41We must
18:42protect ourselves
18:43from this.
18:44So,
18:45of course,
18:46when it
18:46comes to
18:46a timeline,
18:47both of
18:47you earlier,
18:48when I
18:48proposed the
18:48idea of
18:492027,
18:50you basically
18:51said that's
18:51not possible.
18:52So,
18:52what date
18:53would you
18:53like to
18:53propose?
18:54I would
18:55say 2030
18:56could be
18:57a really
18:58realistic
18:58scenario
18:59for Ukraine
19:00to join.
19:00Same
19:01question
19:01to you?
19:02I think
19:02what
19:03President
19:03Zelenskyj
19:04tries to
19:05convey to
19:06us,
19:06I mean,
19:07he needs
19:08our commitment
19:09to start
19:10negotiations.
19:11Once you
19:11start
19:11negotiations,
19:12we'll be
19:13deviant.
19:13So,
19:14I mean,
19:14the more
19:15committed
19:15both sides
19:16are,
19:16the more
19:18efficient
19:20negotiations
19:21process is
19:21about.
19:22And,
19:22believe me,
19:23we will
19:24have
19:24absolutely
19:24new
19:25accession
19:26strategy.
19:26And we
19:27heard this
19:27week as
19:28well,
19:28alongside
19:28President
19:29Zelenskyj,
19:30we heard
19:30also Ursula
19:31von der Leyen
19:31said she
19:32couldn't put
19:32a date
19:32on it,
19:33which we
19:33saw a
19:33very upset
19:34looking
19:34President
19:35Zelenskyj.
19:35Look,
19:36it is time
19:36to take
19:37a very short
19:38break here
19:38on The Ring,
19:39but do
19:39stay with
19:39us.
19:40We'll be
19:40back very
19:41soon with
19:41some more
19:41political
19:42punch.
19:51Welcome
19:51back to
19:52The Ring,
19:53Euronews'
19:54weekly show
19:54broadcasting here
19:55from the
19:55European
19:56Parliament
19:56in Brussels.
19:57I'm joined
19:58by the
19:58MEPs Petras
19:59Austravicius
20:00and Aurelius
20:01Verga,
20:01and the
20:01idea here
20:02is to
20:02bring
20:02European
20:03Parliament
20:03debates
20:04to your
20:04very
20:04sofa.
20:05This
20:06week,
20:06our
20:06guests
20:07MEPs
20:07are sharing
20:08their views
20:08on whether
20:08or not
20:09Ukraine
20:09should be
20:10fast-tracked
20:10into the
20:11European
20:11Union.
20:11And as
20:12always,
20:12we love
20:13bringing
20:13in your
20:14views,
20:14so we
20:14had a
20:15look at
20:15some
20:15of the
20:15data that
20:16suggests
20:16actually
20:1752%
20:18of EU
20:19citizens
20:19express their
20:20support for
20:21Ukraine's
20:21accession,
20:22providing,
20:22of course,
20:23the country
20:23meets all
20:24the membership
20:24conditions.
20:2541%
20:26oppose
20:27Ukraine,
20:29and Ukraine
20:29is most
20:30favourite
20:30candidate for
20:31EU membership
20:32in as many
20:32as 14
20:33member states.
20:35So this is
20:36interesting there,
20:36the majority
20:36are in favour,
20:37but it's still
20:38quite tight.
20:39How do
20:40your voters
20:40back home
20:41feel about
20:42this,
20:42Mr.
20:42Verga?
20:43Well,
20:44I would
20:44guess we
20:46don't see
20:46the data
20:47on each
20:48and every
20:49member of
20:49state,
20:49but I would
20:50guess this
20:51could be
20:51very much
20:53the same
20:53like the
20:54percentage
20:55of investment
20:56to defence
20:58according to
20:58the distance
20:59to Moscow.
21:00So I believe
21:00that,
21:01you know,
21:01the eastern
21:01part of
21:02Europe
21:02that had
21:04an experience
21:04with the
21:05Russian
21:06aggression
21:06or even
21:07occupation,
21:08they would
21:08really support
21:10Ukraine's
21:11accession
21:11to EU,
21:13but I'm
21:14just guessing,
21:15so I don't
21:15know.
21:15What about
21:16you?
21:16How would
21:16your voters
21:17feel about
21:17this?
21:17Well,
21:18I take
21:18the present
21:19public opinion
21:20in the European
21:20Union towards
21:21Ukraine,
21:21much led
21:23by those
21:23pictures,
21:24I mean,
21:24see about
21:25Ukraine,
21:26destruction,
21:27war,
21:27you know,
21:28grim pictures,
21:29I mean,
21:30sad faces,
21:31and so on and
21:31so forth.
21:32The public
21:33opinion,
21:33I mean,
21:34population of
21:35Europe must
21:36be well
21:36explained about
21:37cons and
21:38pros of
21:40each and
21:41every
21:41candidate
21:42country,
21:43and it
21:43should be
21:44well,
21:44I mean,
21:44it should be
21:45business of
21:46politicians,
21:47not just,
21:47you know,
21:48President Zelensky,
21:49I mean,
21:50crying for his
21:51country and
21:52advancing Ukraine
21:53towards the
21:54European Union,
21:55so that's why
21:55if we explain
21:56all arguments
21:59about Ukraine,
22:00it's a largest
22:01country,
22:01a lot of
22:02mineral resources,
22:03we need it,
22:04I mean,
22:04our economies
22:05are looking
22:05for this
22:06around,
22:07so population,
22:09Ukrainians are
22:09very much,
22:10you know,
22:11motivated and
22:12qualified labor
22:13force,
22:14so they're
22:14innovative,
22:15we see it
22:15in times of
22:17war as well,
22:18and finally,
22:19look,
22:20I think this
22:21kind of
22:21convergence
22:22of probably
22:23less developed
22:24economic
22:25economy to
22:27more developed
22:28economy,
22:28it creates
22:29a kind of
22:29very positive
22:30push for
22:31overall
22:32European economy,
22:33so that's why
22:33I think
22:34Europeans should
22:35be given
22:35figures,
22:36good arguments,
22:37and it will
22:37take time,
22:38I'm sure.
22:38Because Europeans
22:39are clearly so
22:39very worried
22:40about the
22:40cost of living
22:41crisis,
22:41and they're
22:41worried that
22:42they might
22:42get poorer
22:43as other
22:43countries join
22:44the bloc,
22:45and then
22:45gradually get
22:46richer.
22:46well,
22:47it didn't
22:47happen
22:47previously
22:48when Europe
22:50enlarged
22:51in the
22:52previous
22:54enlargement,
22:55so it
22:55will not
22:56happen
22:56also this
22:57time,
22:58so I
22:59agree that
22:59we have
23:00to explain
23:02people
23:04to have
23:05more
23:05explanations.
23:06But you're not
23:06very good at
23:07explaining,
23:07the EU has a
23:08major communication
23:09problem,
23:09let's be honest.
23:10Yes,
23:10we do have
23:11a problem,
23:12and I believe
23:14those only
23:1552%
23:16is a
23:18clear example
23:20or illustration
23:21that we still
23:23need more
23:23explanation
23:24about Ukraine.
23:26But often
23:26the perception
23:27now for our
23:27viewers,
23:28they're looking
23:28at Brussels,
23:29the constant
23:29summits and
23:30squabbles and
23:30disagreements
23:31and spats.
23:32I mean,
23:32this week is a
23:33perfect example
23:34with Hungary
23:35and Slovakia
23:35blocking the
23:3620th sanctions
23:37package against
23:38Moscow,
23:39and of course
23:39the 90 billion
23:40fund being
23:40frozen,
23:41the loan
23:41being frozen
23:42by Hungary.
23:43How could
23:44an EU
23:44function,
23:45a big EU
23:46with more
23:46than 30
23:46member states,
23:47how could
23:47the council
23:47actually function
23:48and have
23:49an actual
23:50union that
23:50speaks with
23:50one voice?
23:51Well,
23:52I mean,
23:52firstly,
23:53we're really
23:54still led
23:55by cliché.
23:56I mean,
23:56a lot of
23:57cliché.
23:57You remember
23:57probably
23:59after the
23:59big bank
24:00enlargement,
24:01the
24:01Polish
24:02plumber.
24:03I mean,
24:04that was
24:05a kind of
24:05perception
24:06in France.
24:07But the
24:07Polish
24:08plumber
24:08didn't destroy
24:09sanitation
24:10system in
24:10France,
24:11OK?
24:11But definitely
24:12coming to
24:13this bigger
24:14issue,
24:15we have to
24:16decide upon
24:17ourselves.
24:18This is a very
24:18serious strategic
24:19issue.
24:20It's not a
24:21daily issue.
24:22Next enlargement,
24:23I mean,
24:23we're speaking about
24:2410 countries and
24:25more,
24:26they will
24:26predecide Europe's
24:28future.
24:28And we should
24:29ask not probably
24:30the, you know,
24:32the generation
24:33now in power,
24:34but young generation.
24:35OK, I mean,
24:36let's ask young
24:37people what kind
24:38of Europe,
24:38what kind of
24:39cooperation they
24:40want to have
24:40with those
24:41countries joining
24:42the European
24:42Union.
24:43And we will
24:44get more
24:44optimism.
24:45Well,
24:45please write to
24:46us,
24:46the ring
24:47at
24:47yournews.com.
24:48That is our
24:48email address.
24:49We love hearing
24:49your views.
24:50And you mentioned
24:51there,
24:51Petrus,
24:51the Polish
24:52plumber.
24:52Very wealthy
24:53Polish plumbers
24:54now heading back
24:55to Poland
24:55to work on
24:57their booming
24:57economy.
24:58But now it
24:59isn't time to
24:59move on to
25:00our fifth and
25:01final round.
25:02Are you ready?
25:02Yes, we are.
25:03Yes.
25:08So now it's
25:09time for
25:09something
25:09different.
25:10I'm going to
25:11ask my guest
25:11a set of
25:12questions and
25:13you've only
25:14got two
25:14options here.
25:15Yes or
25:16no.
25:17Is that
25:17doable?
25:19That's the
25:19most complicated
25:20question.
25:20I think you're
25:21going to
25:21struggle.
25:21I think you're
25:22going to
25:22struggle,
25:23but let's
25:23try.
25:23Let's
25:23try.
25:24Is the
25:25EU too
25:25large to
25:26function today?
25:27Yes or
25:27no?
25:27No.
25:29No.
25:30Should
25:31Ukraine be
25:31fast-tracked
25:32into the
25:32European Union?
25:33Yes or
25:33no?
25:34Yes.
25:35Yes.
25:36Should Ukraine
25:37join the
25:37EU before
25:382030?
25:39Yes.
25:40I would
25:41like to
25:42see.
25:43Yes.
25:43Is the
25:44EU ready
25:44for another
25:45big bang
25:45enlargement?
25:46Yes or
25:46no?
25:49Take a
25:49question.
25:53Factually
25:53not, but
25:56politically
25:57I would
25:58say yes.
25:59Not yet.
26:00It will
26:01take time.
26:02Should
26:02agriculture
26:02subsidies
26:03be reduced
26:04in current
26:04member states
26:05to accommodate
26:05Ukraine?
26:09Oh,
26:10that's a
26:10good question.
26:12I mean,
26:12common
26:13agriculture
26:13policy will
26:14be different
26:15and I
26:16hope this
26:17New York
26:17session will
26:18accelerate
26:18this process.
26:20Zareya?
26:20For the
26:21moment I
26:21would say
26:22no.
26:22And should
26:23enlargement
26:24decisions
26:24require
26:25unanimous
26:25approval
26:25from all
26:26member states?
26:27As a
26:28final decision
26:29yes,
26:30in between
26:30no.
26:32Yes.
26:33And is
26:33enlargement
26:34today more
26:34about security
26:35than values,
26:36do you think,
26:36Petros?
26:37Both.
26:37I mean,
26:37security is
26:38about values,
26:39values about
26:39security.
26:40Yeah,
26:41the same.
26:42And is
26:43the future
26:44of the
26:44European Union
26:45bright,
26:45yes or no?
26:46Absolutely
26:46so,
26:47because we
26:47are here.
26:48Yes,
26:49definitely,
26:49yes.
26:50So we
26:51have a
26:51conservative
26:52and a
26:52liberal both
26:53agreeing on
26:53a lot of
26:53topics.
26:54Why don't
26:55you join
26:55the same
26:55party?
26:56We are
26:57from Lithuania,
26:57we don't need
26:58to join
26:59the same
26:59party.
27:00It's hard
27:01to find
27:01disagreement
27:02about Ukraine
27:03in Lithuania.
27:03I can tell
27:04you,
27:04we fight
27:05like cats
27:05home.
27:06But here
27:07in Brussels,
27:08in the
27:08European
27:08Parliament,
27:09when it comes
27:10to strategic
27:11decisions,
27:12we join
27:12forces.
27:13It's all
27:13about finding
27:14compromise,
27:14gentlemen.
27:15Thank you so
27:15much.
27:15That answer
27:16does bring
27:16this edition
27:17of the
27:17ring to
27:18an end.
27:19Thank you
27:19so much
27:22it's been
27:22great hearing
27:23your views.
27:23And of
27:24course,
27:24you can
27:24join us
27:25anytime by
27:25writing to
27:26us as
27:26well at
27:27the ring
27:27at
27:28your
27:28news.com.
27:28But thank
27:29you so
27:29much for
27:29tuning in.
27:30Take care
27:30and see
27:30you soon
27:31here on
27:32Euronews.
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