EU News Radio

Sanctions will “come at a cost” for Europe - von der Leyen

The President of the European Commission has warned the EU cannot rely so heavily for its sources of energy on a supplier that she says explicitly threatens Europe.

Ursula von der Leyen was speaking in the European Parliament today. Her warnings followed powerful online addresses to MEPs by both the Ukrainian President and the speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament.

President von der Leyen said we have to accelerate the green transition and switch to renewables and hydrogen to make the EU more energy independent.

And she said, Europe will pay a price for the tough sanctions now being imposed on Russia.

Out words: priceless

Dur: 00:40

Rule of law clashing with Rule of gun – Von der Leyen

The President of the European Commission says we will never ever accept that Ukraine does not have a right to exist and we will never ever let that happen. 

Ursula von der Leyen was speaking in the European Parliament in Brussels (just a short time ago). Her speech followed a moving online address to the Parliament by the Ukrianian President and the speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament.  

President von der Leyen told MEPs this was a “moment of truth” for Europe.

Out words : the balance

Dur:00:28

Citizens’ recommendations on Europe’s future will be followed up on – EU Commissioner

Recommendations made by EU citizens on the future direction of the European Union will be followed up on.

So says the EU vice-president Dubravka Šuica who is leading the European Commission's work on the Conference on the Future of Europe. It’s a year-long project organised by EU institutions that’s engaging people from across the bloc in discussions about the future shape of the EU.  

Two hundred European Citizens including Irish participants, have been taking part at a Conference on the Future of Europe event at Dublin Castle this weekend. And today (Sunday) they’ll make a final list of recommendations they want the EU to act on.

Commissioner Šuica says their proposals will have to be taken seriously.

Out words: Citizens’ recommendations

Dur: 00:10

EU Treaty changes will have to be considered if demanded by Citizens’ – EU Commissioner

Changes to EU treaties will have to be considered if demands by European Citizens require them.

That’s according to the EU vice-president Dubravka Šuica who is leading the European Commission's work on the Conference on the Future of Europe. It’s a year-long initiative organised by EU institutions that’s engaging people from across the bloc in discussions about the future shape of the EU.  

Their final recommendations may require EU treaty changes. And Commissioner Šuica says the EU Institutions will have to consider those demands.  

Out words: Commission’s role

Dur: 00:27

EU Commissioner “pushing for maximum assistance” for Ukraine – Dublin

The European Commissioner for Democracy and Demography says the EU is ready to receive Ukrainian refugees and to send whatever assistance it can to the people of Ukraine.

Dubravka Šuica was speaking during her visit to Dublin today to attend the Conference on the Future of Europe.

The Commissioner says she can sympathise with the Ukrainians because she herself experienced war first-hand during the conflict in Croatia in the 1990s.

Out words: is united

Dur: 00:37

Last night a “cataclysm shook Europe” – EU Charles Michel

The EU Council will convene today and agree in principle on a package of massive and targeted sanctions against Russia. It will also decide on political, financial and humanitarian aid for Ukraine and its people.

That’s what the President of the European Council said today during a joint press conference with the Secretary General of NATO and the president of the European Commission.

Charles Michel said, last night a cataclysm shook Europe. It was a brutal aggression he said that was triggered by Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin against human beings.

Out words: all Europeans

Dur: 00:42

Putin’s brought “war back to Europe” – Von der Leyen

The President of the European Commission is warning Russia will be held accountable for what she called "its outrageous violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty”.

Ursula von der Leyen says what’s at stake is the stability of Europe and the whole international peace order.

She was speaking at a joint press conference held a short time ago with the Secretary General of NATO and the president of the EU Council.

Out words: industrial bases

Dur: 00:35

Sanctions “will hurt Russia” – EU Josep Borrell

The package of sanctions that EU countries have just agreed should be imposed on Russia will hurt the country a lot.

That was the warning from the EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. This afternoon he announced there had been unanimous agreement from all of the EU’s twenty seven member states on the package of sanctions.   

During a press conference Mr Borrell outlined details of those sanctions.

Out words: the US

Dur: 02:35

Unanimous agreement from EU-27 on sanctions against Russia – EU Borrell

The EU has agreed to impose a package of sanctions against Russia following its decision to send troops to disputed territories in Ukraine.

The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs announced at a press conference this afternoon that there had been unanimous agreement from all of the EU’s twenty seven countries on the package of sanctions.   

Josep Borrell said this was a “particularly dangerous moment for Europe”.

Out words: these hours

Dur: 00: 23

Russian invasion “grotesque breach of international law” – Minister Byrne

The EU is expected to announce a package of sanctions against Russia later today in response to its latest move on Ukraine.

EU ambassadors have been meeting in Brussels and EU foreign ministers will discuss what sanctions should be imposed on Russia during an informal meeting on the crisis in Ukraine.

Europe Minister Thomas Byrne who’s in Brussels had this to say about the crisis.

Out words: as well

Dur: 00:21