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Europe Today: Israel ties, Ukraine support top agenda as EU foreign ministers meet in Luxembourg
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Tune in to Europe Today, Euronews' flagship morning programme at 8 am Brussels time. In just 20 minutes, we bring you up to speed on the biggest news of the day.
READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2026/04/21/europe-today-eu-foreign-ministers-set-to-discuss-ukraine-loan-ties-with-israel
Subscribe to our channel. Euronews is available on Dailymotion in 12 languages
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00:14Good morning, it's Tuesday the 21st of April. I'm Mariette Gwynne and you're watching Europe Today, your daily dose of
00:23live news and analysis here on Euronews.
00:27Coming up today, EU foreign ministers gather in Luxembourg with the two conflict hotspots in Ukraine and Iran high on
00:36the agenda.
00:37Ukraine's foreign minister Andriy Sidiha will dial into the meeting as will the prime minister of Lebanon, Nawaf Salam.
00:43We'll bring you the latest from our correspondent on the ground.
00:47Also, with the ceasefire in the war on Iran hanging in the balance and the next phase of peace talks
00:53uncertain, the Middle East is again on an eye for edge.
00:57We bring you an exclusive interview with the UK ambassador to the United Arab Emirates.
01:02And Norway's foreign minister Espen Bart Eider has told Europe Today that, quote, the road to a Palestine state will
01:11be under UN principles.
01:13After a conference in Brussels seen as a response to Donald Trump's controversial Gaza peace board.
01:20We'll bring you more from that exclusive interview during the show.
01:23And Ukraine's Zelensky has said the Druzhva pipeline will be operational again by the end of April, raising the prospects
01:31of restored Russian oil flows to Hungary and Slovakia.
01:35It could mean the imminent unblocking of the EU's 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine.
01:40But first, to our top story this morning, because EU foreign affairs ministers are meeting in Luxembourg this morning to
01:49discuss Ukraine, but also the Middle East.
01:52Three member states, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia, are expected to call for a tougher stance against Israel for what they
01:59say are clear breaches of the EU-Israel Association agreement.
02:03We can now cross over, I believe, to our correspondent, Shona Murray, who is standing by there in Luxembourg for
02:10us.
02:11Good morning, Shona. Good to have you on the show.
02:13Ukraine obviously featuring prominently in that meeting today and hopes there could be a breakthrough in the EU's financial support
02:21to Ukraine.
02:24That's right, Mered. A fairly momentous EU foreign affairs council about to happen in the next few hours in the
02:30building just behind me here,
02:31where it's likely that there'll be a political discussion about unblocking the 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine,
02:37which, as we know, has been had been stopped by the Hungarian government, Viktor Orban, over a dispute in relation
02:44to the Drozba pipeline,
02:45which is the pipeline that flows Russian oil through Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia.
02:50It appears now that dispute is being resolved and there will be an opportunity then for that 90 billion euro
02:56to go to Ukraine.
02:57But even more so for this foreign affairs council, it's the first time it's happening since the Hungarian elections.
03:03And in the last one back in February, which took place the day before the anniversary of the fourth year
03:08of the Russian invasion of Ukraine,
03:10Hungary was blocking not only the 90 billion euros, but it was blocking the access for Ukraine to the European
03:15peace facility,
03:16which allows the EU transfer weapons to Ukraine.
03:19It was blocking the passage of access to Ukraine to become a member of the European Union.
03:26And it was also blocking the sanctions package.
03:29So, you know, EU foreign affairs ministers were furious at the time with Peter Zarto, the Hungarian foreign affairs minister.
03:36And he's not even showing up here today.
03:38So it seems like a new dawn in relation to EU, Hungary and Ukraine relationships.
03:44Marit.
03:45And Shona, if we can shift to the Middle East, obviously also featuring on the agenda.
03:51And there are three countries, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, who want tougher action against Israel in response to the situation both
03:59in Lebanon and in Palestine.
04:01Tell us more.
04:04That's right.
04:04A letter emerged from those three countries at the weekend calling for a stronger discussion within the Foreign Affairs Council
04:10about taking action against Israel for what it says are breaches of the Israel-EU Association agreement.
04:17Now, it's likely that discussion will take place because what they're saying is even more has happened even the last
04:24year in relation to maybe Israel's assault in Lebanon, the war there.
04:28But also the EU has been very concerned about a law passed in the Knesset in Israel, which allows for
04:34the execution of Palestinians convicted of murder, but not Israelis.
04:39And that law has passed, although could come before the Supreme Court.
04:42But first of all, just take a listen to the EU foreign policy chief, Kaya Callas, speaking about the situation
04:48in Palestine yesterday.
04:49We can and must do more to ensure respect for human rights and accountability and to protect the Palestinian people
05:00and to put the two state solution solidly on the table again.
05:05And this is the only way that both the Palestinians and Israelis can live in safety, dignity and peace.
05:15EU foreign affairs policy chief, Kaya Callas, speaking about the situation in Palestine, saying the EU needs to do more.
05:21But I've spoken to several diplomats from many countries over the past few days in relation to this.
05:26And it doesn't look like the EU will change its policy.
05:29First of all, to suspend even a part of the EU-Israel Association agreement, you need a qualified majority.
05:35And that doesn't exist because even though Germany and the German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz has had a robust and intense
05:41conversation with Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel about the situation in the West Bank, Palestine, Lebanon and so on.
05:47It looks like Germany won't be changing its stance and will be taking action.
05:51So therefore, the numbers aren't there for even partial suspension, let alone a full suspension of this agreement.
05:57Maret.
05:58OK, Shona, thank you so much for that.
05:59And I know you'll be speaking to Luxembourg's foreign minister and deputy prime minister, Xavier Betel, later this morning.
06:05We'll bring you that interview from Shona on tomorrow's show.
06:10But now the Norwegian foreign minister, Espen Bartheider, was in town in Brussels yesterday to co-chair a meeting on
06:18promoting a two-state solution for Palestine.
06:21He spoke to our Europe editor, Maria Tadeo, shortly after that meeting.
06:25Maria started by asking him about the situation in the Middle East and whether he feared a return to hostilities
06:31between the US, Israel and Iran is the most likely scenario as the expiration of the ceasefire nears.
06:40Well, these are different questions.
06:43If you look at Iran, I would say the difficult part is that the sides are far apart.
06:51I mean, first, their demands are far apart, although they have been working on them.
06:55I think there's been some progress.
06:57But also because one party or the other party is asking the other party to do some of the things
07:04in the ceasefire before they go to the meeting.
07:06So my advice will be go to the meeting, talk to each other.
07:09On the good side, I think there is a motive in both countries, both in the US and Iran.
07:14The war was highly unpopular in the US and created a lot of havoc in the world economy.
07:19And I also think that Iran, who has been severely battered through the attacks, would like to avoid the continuation
07:26of war.
07:26So there is a motive.
07:27And let's all try to work to help them to go in the peaceful direction.
07:32This is not only an issue for the two sides, but it affects the whole world economy.
07:37And what role for the Europeans?
07:38Because President Trump has expressed his frustration at the Europeans and NATO too, saying they have not done anything.
07:45This is a paper tiger.
07:46Without the US, they are not capable.
07:49What's your response?
07:50Well, you know, I believe very much in NATO.
07:53I believe NATO is good for all its members, including the United States.
07:57There are so many other things NATO does.
08:00And by standing together, we are defending the transatlantic area.
08:04But NATO is a defensive alliance.
08:06It's not an attack alliance.
08:07It's, you know, there have been occasions where we have joined forces in entering into faraway battles.
08:15But that has then been well prepared beforehand.
08:17One has made the argument, was uninvited the allies and collective decisions has been made.
08:24None of that was tried before the Iran war.
08:27So there was a very limited appetite to be part of the war.
08:32However, many NATO countries, including my own Norway, is now dedicated to work on making sure that the Hormer Strait
08:41is open and remains open.
08:42Not as NATO, but as in the context of a broad coalition of interested parties who are third parties to
08:50the conflict, who are not fighting with either side, but who have a shared interest in protecting the principle of
08:58freedom of navigation at sea.
09:00So NATO countries are doing something, but it's not as party to a conflict.
09:05Just finally, just so we understand, the reconstruction and the construction of a two-state solution, is that going to
09:11be handled by the Board of Peace with many legal questions around the role that President Trump plays?
09:16Or is this an international UN-backed path?
09:19So the road to a one unified Palestinian state will be under the principles established by the UN over many
09:27years.
09:28And there are many countries that are strongly dedicated.
09:31Remember that almost 160 countries have now recognized Palestine as a state.
09:36That is way more than three quarters of the membership of the UN.
09:41So this is clearly the world's view on this.
09:44There has to be a Palestinian state.
09:46It still takes time.
09:47But we need to ensure that that happens in such a way that we have one unified Palestine under a
09:53solid democratic governance, able to live in peace with its neighbor Israel.
09:58And it's not around the corner.
10:00Israelis have said that not has been achieved, however.
10:02They say there's still terrorism operating and they have to leave in security.
10:06Are you taking in their feedback?
10:08Well, so we absolutely want to make sure that the people of Israel can live in peace as well,
10:14and that they can be free of terrorism from their neighborhoods.
10:18But then you also have to contribute to making your neighborhood a place where people like to live peacefully.
10:24So a two-state solution under the auspices of the Palestinian government,
10:28with the rights and responsibilities that comes by being a state with adequate international support,
10:34should be precisely the neighbor and partner that would make it possible to live peacefully and not in eternal war
10:40for Israel.
10:41So when we, Norway, for many years have dedicated so much work to the two-state solution,
10:46we do it for Palestine, but we also do it for Israel,
10:49because we remain convinced that in the long run,
10:52this is the only viable solution for real peace in a very troubled region.
11:00Maria Tadeo speaking, it's the Norwegian foreign minister there.
11:03As we heard from Shona earlier,
11:05Spain is leading calls for the suspension of the EU's trade and cooperation agreement with Israel
11:10over what it describes as persistent human rights violations.
11:14The proposal is not expected to get the necessary support from EU ministers.
11:18And this is not the first time the prospect of reviewing or suspending the agreement is raised by EU leaders.
11:25Our Jakob Janis explains.
11:28Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is on a mission and he won't let go.
11:33And today, once again, he will formally propose severing the EU's association agreement with Israel.
11:40Sánchez has accused Netanyahu of setting the Middle East on fire
11:44and has doubled down on his criticism of the war in Iran and Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
11:50The proposal has already hit a wall multiple times.
11:54Will it work this time?
11:57Established in 2000, the EU-Israel Association Agreement is the bedrock of the economic and political relationship.
12:04And for months, Spain Island and Slovenia have demanded an urgent review.
12:08Now, a European citizens' initiative titled Justice for Palestine with over 1 million signatures is forcing the issue onto the
12:17agenda.
12:18Crucially, a possible suspension would not mean a full trade ban.
12:22About 60% of Israeli exports to the EU already enjoy zero tariffs under standard World Trade Organization rules.
12:31However, the remaining 37% rely on a special duty-free treatment granted exclusively by this agreement.
12:38Suspending it would slap sudden tariffs on Israeli machinery, medical devices and pharmaceuticals.
12:45And the EU is Israel's largest trading partner, with a relationship worth more than 45 billion euro a year.
12:53The European Commission estimates this would hit Israeli experts with an extra 227 million euro a year in duties
13:00and freeze millions in bilateral EU funding for ongoing cooperation projects.
13:05To fully scrap the deal, the EU needs everyone to agree.
13:09However, suspending justly trade privileges requires only qualified majority votes.
13:15And although Israel has lost one of its staunchest allies in Viktor Orban's Hungary,
13:20and with Italy taking a harder line amid attacks on Christian places of faith,
13:25the proposal still faces an uphill battle.
13:33Jakob Janis there.
13:35Now, moving on, there are growing expectations, as we heard on the top of the show,
13:38that the rift between Hungary and Ukraine over the Drushba pipeline could be resolved soon.
13:43Hungary's outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orban has hinted he could drop his veto on EU financial support to Ukraine
13:49once the pipeline is repaired and is operational again.
13:53I'm joined for more by our Ukraine correspondent, Sasha Vakulina, who joins me in the studio.
13:57Good morning, Sasha.
13:58Zelensky gave an interview last night.
14:01When did he say that this pipeline could be back in operation?
14:04There are indeed signs, Maria, that it might be back and running imminently any day now.
14:11Let's take a look at the timeline of what's been happening with Drushba pipeline,
14:16which is indeed transporting Russia's cheap oil to Hungary and Slovakia.
14:20Now, it was damaged in the Russian drone attack at the end of January.
14:24And then on the 5th of March, Volodymyr Zelensky would take from six to eight weeks for Ukraine to repair
14:31Drushba.
14:32Now, it's been seven weeks since that statement.
14:36So, there we go.
14:36This is the timeline.
14:37And indeed, the expectations are that it might be up and running any time now.
14:42Now, Hungary's prime minister-elect Petr Madhyar said he hopes to have it back as soon as possible.
14:49Well, what I can say to the Ukrainian president, although we have not spoken, is that this is not a
14:55game.
14:55If the Drushba pipeline is in condition to carry oil, then it should be reopened as promised.
15:01And this is where it is this rare moment when Budapest and Kyiv are actually aligned,
15:05because this is exactly what Volodymyr Zelensky said and did in that big interview you've mentioned to the Ukrainian television,
15:10when he said, for our part, we will fulfill what we promised by the end of April.
15:15The Hungarians, I think, will fulfill what they promised.
15:18They will unblock 90 billion.
15:19And the EU will fulfill what they promised, an agreement with the Hungarians, with the new government and with the
15:25others.
15:25And in that interview, Sasha Zelensky also outlining what he expects of the European Union now.
15:31Indeed. There are a few other decisions that Kyiv is expecting to get unblocked now.
15:37First of all, of course, this is the new package of sanctions against Russia, also blocked by Hungary.
15:41But also there is a EU accession process for Kyiv.
15:45And this is something that's been vetoed consistently by Hungary, by Budapest,
15:49even before the Drushba pipeline gets damaged in the drone attack in the end of January.
15:54Ukraine is expecting to have some clusters opened.
15:58This is the big veto of Hungary.
16:00And in mid-March, Ukraine and the European Union said that they are going technically,
16:06in technical process of unblocking those clusters and opening to make sure that Kyiv is doing all the homework
16:12to be ready for when the moment comes.
16:14And the big expectation for Kyiv is now that the moment has come indeed for that.
16:19Okay, Sasha, I'm sure we'll be hearing more about that in the coming weeks.
16:21Thank you for that.
16:22And we're moving on to the Middle East again now with the ceasefire in the US and Israel's war against
16:28Iran due to expire tomorrow.
16:31President Donald Trump has said overnight it's highly unlikely he'll extend the truce unless a deal with Iran is reached
16:38before then.
16:39For more, we can cross over now to Dubai and to our correspondent there, Jane Witherspoon.
16:44Good to have you back, Jane.
16:46There were expectations of a second round of peace talks yesterday, also today.
16:51Where do we stand right now?
16:55Good morning.
16:56Well, there are lots of conflicting information going around everywhere at the moment as to whether those talks will take
17:02place in Islamabad.
17:04It's a waiting game for now.
17:06Obviously, the Iranians are keeping everyone hanging on until the last moment with no clear direction as to what they're
17:12going to do.
17:13And we are, of course, less than 48 hours until that cease-line deadline ends.
17:20President Donald Trump has vowed to maintain the blockade.
17:23He's also threatened to start bombing if an agreement is not made by Wednesday evening.
17:30Meanwhile, the Iranians have said that they're not prepared to enter into any negotiations under the shadow of threats.
17:37And, Jane, I know you spoke to the UK ambassador to the UAE about the situation in the Middle East
17:43yesterday.
17:43What did he have to say?
17:47Well, I think this goes further than the British embassy.
17:49I think everybody is in agreement that this needs to de-escalate.
17:54Everyone is in agreement that also we need to make sure that there's no further regional conflict and also global
18:00disruption.
18:01As you mentioned, the UK, the British ambassador to the UAE is Ed Hobart.
18:06I sat down with him for an exclusive interview with Euronews.
18:10He told me about the UK's stance on the war.
18:13He did also emphasise that there still is a risk for escalation, unfortunately, here in the Middle East.
18:20The Prime Minister has been very clear that this wasn't the UK's war.
18:25It wasn't something we wanted to take place.
18:28But particularly in defence of the Gulf countries,
18:33we have enabled the US to help support that defence
18:37through the use of British military bases in the UK and elsewhere.
18:43In terms of the Straits of Hormuz, what we want is the law of the sea to be followed
18:49and for these international thoroughfares which are critical to the global economy,
18:54not just to the economy here, not just the economy in Europe,
18:57but actually in particular the economy in the Far East to be open and flowing.
19:02So we don't want blockades.
19:05We don't want Iran or others causing danger to merchant shipping in this region.
19:15That was the UK ambassador to the UAE.
19:18And thank you so much, Shane, for that update from Dubai.
19:20But that's all we have time for for today.
19:23Thank you so much for tuning in to Europe today.
19:25We'll be back with more news and more analysis at the same time, same place tomorrow morning.
19:31We hope to see you then.
19:32And we'll see you very soon here on Euronews.
19:34Euronews.
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