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