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Europe Today: via libera al prestito all'Ucraina, l'Ue interviene contro la crisi energetica
Sintonizzati su Europe Today, il programma di punta del mattino di Euronews, alle 8 ora di Bruxelles. In soli 20 minuti ti aggiorniamo sulle notizie principali della giornata.
ALTRE INFORMAZIONI : http://it.euronews.com/2026/04/23/europe-today-lue-sblocca-il-prestito-allucraina-e-interviene-contro-la-crisi-energetica
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Sintonizzati su Europe Today, il programma di punta del mattino di Euronews, alle 8 ora di Bruxelles. In soli 20 minuti ti aggiorniamo sulle notizie principali della giornata.
ALTRE INFORMAZIONI : http://it.euronews.com/2026/04/23/europe-today-lue-sblocca-il-prestito-allucraina-e-interviene-contro-la-crisi-energetica
Abbonati, euronews è disponibile in 12 lingue.
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NovitàTrascrizione
00:14Buongiorno, è Thursday 23rd April.
00:18I'm Mariette Gwynne and you're watching Europe Today.
00:21Your daily dose of news and analysis broadcast live here from Brussels.
00:26Coming up on today's show, the EU is in the process of unblocking the 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine
00:33and fresh sanctions against Russia after signals Hungary and Slovakia have dropped their opposition.
00:40If neither country raises objections today, a month-long political standoff will come to an end.
00:46We'll have the details.
00:47And the European Commission has urged EU governments to introduce energy vouchers,
00:52social tariffs and VAT cuts to cushion the impact of the energy crisis triggered by the Iran war.
01:00But it stopped short of introducing a windfall tax on oil and gas companies.
01:04We speak to the Energy Commissioner, Dan Jorgensen.
01:07And in other news this morning, Lebanon and Israel are set to enter a second round of talks in Washington
01:13with the Lebanese president saying Beirut is seeking to extend the 10-day ceasefire, which expires on Sunday.
01:20Meanwhile, a top Iranian negotiator has said the Strait of Hormuz cannot open due to, quote,
01:27blatant violations of the ceasefire by the US.
01:30But first this morning, the EU is expected to unlock a crucial loan to Ukraine and sanctions on Russia later
01:38today
01:38amid indications Russian crude is flowing again through the Drushva pipeline.
01:44It would come conveniently just before EU leaders gather in Cyprus tonight ahead of an informal summit tomorrow.
01:50For more, our Ukraine correspondent Sasha Vakulina joins me on set.
01:54Good morning.
01:55How has Kyiv reacted to the news of the unblocking of this loan?
01:59Kyiv is really excited to get this loan after it was agreed in December marriage.
02:06Because for Ukraine, this is really important and crucial, as you said, financial lifetime for the country
02:12to cover the Ukraine's financial needs this year and also next year with two thirds of those 90 billion loan
02:18going into Ukraine defense needs that it desperately needs as soon as possible.
02:23Now, Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky reacted to it, saying the implementation of our agreement
02:28with the European Union to unblock the 90 billion support package for Ukraine over two years
02:33is now effectively underway, as well as new sanctions package against Russia over this war.
02:39The unblocking is the right signal under the current circumstances.
02:44Now, at the EU-Ukraine business summit that is taking place in Brussels these days,
02:49I saw Ukrainian officials literally congratulating each other on the unblocking of this loan.
02:54And is there hope also, Sasha, that with a government change about to happen in Hungary,
02:58that this could also mean progress on Ukraine's bid to join the EU?
03:03Absolutely, because this veto by Viktor Orban has nothing to do with the Druzhba pipeline.
03:08This is something that he's been holding on to from way before then.
03:11And yes, indeed, nowadays, Kyiv and Brussels both hoping that this is the opportunity to open those clusters.
03:18And the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, also mentioned that she expects the first cluster
03:23to finally open the moment the new government, the change of the government in Hungary is complete,
03:28and this should be around May. Let's take a listen to what she had to say.
03:32Another good news is that we hope that with the change of the government in Hungary,
03:36we will soon be able to open all the clusters formally.
03:43The European Commission, we, my team, is ready,
03:47and we hope that the member states and the council will act swiftly.
03:53Taras Kachka, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister,
03:55who is in charge of Ukraine's European integration,
03:58speaking right next to Marta Kos,
04:00also gave some sneak peek regarding the timeline on how this process can proceed.
04:06I hope that this year we will hear that certain chapters can be treated as closed,
04:13That also brings the possibility next year to talk about broad integration into the internal market.
04:20Maybe, who knows, that things can be really fast.
04:24We, and next year we will close all chapters,
04:26and then we can talk about the Treaty of Accession.
04:29While those clusters have been vetoed and blocked,
04:31Ukraine and Brussels both launched technical works to make sure that as much preparedness is there.
04:36This is why, of course, the timeline that we heard there is quite fast,
04:39although not as fast as January 2027.
04:42As Zelensky once hinted, Sasha, thank you so much for that update.
04:46Now, moving on.
04:47As the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains volatile,
04:51Trump has continued to lash out at his NATO allies for not coming to his aid in the war in
04:57Iran.
04:57Our correspondent, Shauna Murray, spoke with former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
05:03and started by asking him about the tensions ongoing amongst Trump and his allies.
05:08I consider it the worst challenge for NATO during the history of a very successful alliance.
05:19So I think we in Europe should conclude we have to be able to stand on our own feet.
05:29So we should strengthen our defense, build on a coalition of the willing that could build a strong European pillar
05:39within NATO.
05:40We need a more European NATO.
05:42You're obviously the former prime minister of Denmark, so you're European.
05:46Where do you stand then on the issue of European preference?
05:48Because the Europeans are going to be spending a colossal amount of money on defense now.
05:53We should purchase weapons and ammunition where it is.
05:57Right now, because time is of the essence.
06:01We should reduce our dependency on foreign actors like the United States, but also other countries.
06:08So we should not be naive.
06:10So in certain cases, I would give preference to European weapons and munitions.
06:16Did you ever think you'd see the day where you're saying that you have to, that NATO should and Europe
06:22should move away from the United States in such a way that we need to be careful not to be
06:28naive?
06:28For me, this has been a very painful process.
06:33Since childhood, I have admired the United States.
06:36I saw the United States as a natural leader of the free world.
06:40As prime minister of Denmark, I work closely with the then president George W. Bush.
06:46For me, it's been painful to conclude that we have to reduce our dependence on the United States.
06:55But that is the state of affairs today.
06:58And how was it then when you were watching what was happening with Greenland, with the president of the United
07:04States saying they need to take Greenland,
07:06with the denigration of the sacrifices made by Danish troops in Afghanistan?
07:12Yeah, but it was unheard that the leader of the biggest ally within a collective defense organization threatens another ally
07:22with the aim to grasp land by force.
07:26Had that happened, it would be the end of NATO.
07:30It doesn't make sense to have a collective defense organization where the biggest ally threatens another ally.
07:38Fortunately, President Trump backed off that threat.
07:43And now we have embarked on a more traditional diplomatic path.
07:48The situation in the Strait of Ormos is changing every hour.
07:51And the ceasefire looks like it may be extended, but there's no changes to actually reopening the strait.
07:56What do you think needs to be done now?
07:58I think, actually, Europe should use this situation as a leverage to change the relationship between Europe and the United
08:08States.
08:09We should speak to President Trump the same way as he speaks to us.
08:15And that's why my proposal would be for Europe to correct the mistake they made when they declared this war
08:25is not our war and try to get the best out of this for Europe.
08:34Just a final question then.
08:35Who do you propose should speak to Donald Trump in the way he speaks to us?
08:40Well, I would leave it to the political leaders to decide.
08:44We have in the past, we have seen European delegations meet up in the White House.
08:52My point is just this.
08:55Trump only respects a firm stance.
08:59And that's why I say time for flattering is over.
09:07Shona Murray speaking to Anders Rasmussen there.
09:10Now, we're staying with Europe's security and defence.
09:12Latvia is a country that sits on NATO's eastern flank and is ramping up its defence efforts.
09:19Joining me in the studio now is Latvia's defence minister, Andris Sprutz.
09:23Great to have you on the programme.
09:25Thank you for being here.
09:26I want to pick up on what Anders Rasmussen said there about the big historic challenge he said facing NATO.
09:33The US President Donald Trump is threatening an US exit.
09:37Is he pushing the alliance to the brink?
09:40On practical military level, we had excellent relationship.
09:45There is presence of US troops in Europe, also in the Baltic countries, in Latvia, and we continuously, actively cooperate.
09:53So, I see that alliance remains strong, that it is one for all, for one.
09:58It is beneficial for all member states, including United States.
10:02Of course, sometimes we have some disputes.
10:04Sometimes we have some statements.
10:06But I would focus mostly on practical cooperation, strategic cooperation.
10:10We see that cooperation continues as it was, even though, yes, sometimes we have some questions and some disputes to
10:16solve.
10:16But does that rhetoric from Trump sometimes make you doubt that the US would come to Latvia, to Europe's aid,
10:23if needed, under Article 5?
10:24No.
10:26My confidence is in the United States, in transatlantic relationship.
10:30As I said, we've seen this cooperation developing and expanding.
10:35And here I don't have any doubts that the United States would come to help.
10:38So, even though sometimes we might have some discussions.
10:41Very good.
10:42And we know there's another conflict hotspot in the Middle East.
10:47Do you see or fear that that conflict is not only diverting attention from Ukraine and Europe, but that also
10:53there are weapons, US-made weapons destined for Europe being diverted there?
10:58It just once more demonstrates the world is interconnected and also the armament supplies.
11:04It is quite in shortage in these uncertainty times, in these times of insecurity.
11:09So, that's why, once more, it's just a strong reminder that we need to build up our own defences, our
11:15own defence industry in Europe.
11:17We must step up.
11:18In the meantime, yes, we have to deal with some of the potential shortages.
11:22But as I said, I would believe this is not a game changer in terms of the other defence capabilities.
11:27But are you seeing shortages in Europe due to the war in Iran?
11:32We might see some shortages and some countries have admitted it, that actually there are some delays.
11:39But this is a delay because of the lack of defence industry in general.
11:44So, we see the shortage in general.
11:46So, that's why, once more, we have to develop the industrial base, technological base, also focusing on new technologies.
11:53I'll get to that very shortly.
11:54But briefly, do you fear that the war in Iran could be emboldening President Putin?
12:00Well, of course, we must take into account that war is, in a sense, uncertain, that there are quite a
12:08number of those flashpoints.
12:09But it is also a reminder that the United States is ready to act.
12:12And here, we should cooperate actively with the United States to solve the problems, solve the issue, also in Hormuz
12:18Straits, together.
12:19And that's what also Latvia has indicated.
12:21We're seeing today that the 90 billion loan from the EU to Ukraine will probably be unlocked.
12:27How crucial is this?
12:29It is crucial.
12:30It is crucial and it's good that we see progress in this regard.
12:34It is crucial to support Ukraine.
12:36But it's not just about 90 billion loan.
12:38It's about bilateral supports.
12:40That's what Latvia is doing, 0.25% from our GDP goes to Ukraine.
12:44And are all European countries meeting that moment as Latvia is doing?
12:48Do you think all European countries are doing enough?
12:51I would hope that and I would expect that there could be even more help, as I said, also on
12:58bilateral level.
12:59First of all, on a multilateral level, not to block anything that goes into direction of Ukraine, because Ukraine fights
13:04our war as well.
13:06Ukraine defends our values and interests.
13:07Indeed. Thank you so much for joining us in the studio, Ministers.
13:10Thank you very much. Thank you.
13:11We hope to have you back here on set again in the future.
13:14Now, moving on now, because you might be wondering what the potential shortage in jet fuel means for your travel
13:24plans.
13:26Jakob Janis has taken a look and explains more.
13:30If you are planning a holiday this year, you might want to check your bank balance and your flight status
13:35before you park.
13:37Europeans are entering what is shaping up to be a surcharge summer.
13:40And while the European Commission tones down warning from energy experts, the airlines are telling a different story.
13:47SAS Scandinavian Airlines have canceled about a thousand departures.
13:51Lufthansa has followed suit by axing 20,000 routes.
13:55And Air France KLM is slapping a 100 euro surcharge on long-distance tickets.
14:01So what causes this turbulence?
14:05EU refineries account for roughly 70% of the bloc's jet fuel, with the rest usually imported from the Middle
14:11East.
14:12However, with the Strait of Hormuz closed, the disruption to global oil transit drove jet fuel prices to twice their
14:19previous levels.
14:20And last week, the International Energy Agency warned Europe has roughly six weeks of supply left, resulting in possible flight
14:29cancellations.
14:30The European Commission argues that flight cancellations are not related to shortages, but rather to the airline's own lack of
14:37profitability.
14:38However, to be on a safe side, it launched Accelerate EU, a plan to coordinate emergency fuel supplies, and ensure
14:46member states start sharing what's left in their tanks.
14:49The EU is also eyeing new imports from the United States.
14:53However, US jet fuel follows slightly different chemical standards.
14:58The European Commission is trying to keep Europeans calm, but the advice from the EU transport ministers, who got it
15:04ahead of this week's summit in Cyprus, is a bit of a climb.
15:08They are suggesting Europeans neutralize demand by switching to public transport and electric bikes.
15:14And your reporter believes it is a noble idea, but you cannot exactly ride an e-bike from Brussels to
15:19Ibiza, or can you?
15:21So the energy crisis debate will likely be held today and tomorrow, during an informal summit of EU leaders in
15:27Cyprus.
15:28I just wonder how they plan to get there.
15:36Now, after two months of war in Iran, Europe is feeling the shock.
15:40Energy prices continue to soar, but the European Commission is stepping in with emergency energy vouchers and a new energy
15:47watchdog.
15:48For the details, I'm joined in the studio by our correspondent, Angela Skujins.
15:52Great to have you, Angela.
15:53You spoke to the energy commissioner yesterday.
15:56Tell us more about the measures that he outlined.
15:59Good morning, Muddard.
16:00So there's no ambiguity regarding the scale of the problem.
16:03The European Commission has stated that over the two months that this conflict has raged on in the Middle East,
16:09it has cost Europeans an extra €24 billion.
16:13This amounts to an eye-watering €5 million per day.
16:17In response to this, the European Commission came out on Wednesday with a suite of measures aimed to support Europeans
16:23at the diesel pump as well as at the bank.
16:26This includes a new observatory to be set up to monitor how energy is dispersed within the EU, as well
16:33as energy vouchers for people to buy more energy efficient heat pumps, tax incentives for people to also buy solar
16:41panels.
16:41However, critics have blasted this, stating that it doesn't really have the financial teeth to support Europeans most vulnerable.
16:49It also included no mention of that one day working from home policy, as well as taxing windfall profits.
16:57Euronews did ask the European Commissioner for Energy, Dan Jorgensen, about this.
17:02He stated that it's incumbent on national governments to establish those windfall tax profits.
17:08However, he did warn that Europeans should expect more pain.
17:12Even in a best-case scenario, I do have to be quite blunt and say that we are looking into
17:19some very difficult months and even years,
17:21because even if there's a peace tomorrow, to rebuild the gas infrastructure, for instance, in Qatar will take maybe years.
17:28So prices will not stabilize at the level they were before this crisis.
17:32And Angela, you also had the opportunity to ask the Commissioner about the situation in Ukraine after persistent attacks on
17:39its energy sites.
17:40Yes, of course. While we had him, we thought we would ask about the Druzhba oil pipeline too.
17:46There's that €90 billion loan for Ukraine attached to this major development.
17:51He stated that it's imperative Ukraine gets this cash.
17:54We know that two-thirds of this will be used to continue repelling Russian aggression,
17:58while one-third will be used to prop up the budget and hopefully make some repairs to that pummeled energy
18:06infrastructure.
18:07Working with Ukraine on helping to rebuild the energy sector is quite heartbreaking work
18:15because the Russians are brutally bombing the energy infrastructure of Ukraine.
18:21They've done so through the very cold winter.
18:24People have been freezing. People have been without electricity.
18:28And obviously, it's an expensive endeavor to rebuild.
18:32And we are very eager to help as much as we can, as fast as we can.
18:37Okay, Angela, thank you so much.
18:38Angela Skujins there, speaking to the Energy Commissioner, Dan Jorgensen.
18:42But that brings this edition of Europe Today to an end.
18:45Thank you for tuning in.
18:46If you enjoy Europe Today or want to give us your tips,
18:49get in touch by emailing us at europetoday at euronews.com.
18:53We'll be back tomorrow with another packed show as EU leaders gather for informal talks in Cyprus.
19:00Don't miss it. See you then.
19:01Grazie a tutti.
19:58Grazie a tutti.
20:02Grazie a tutti.
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