EU News Radio

Children fleeing Ukraine at “very high risk” – EU Commissioner

The EU Commissioner for Home Affairs says she is very concerned that unaccompanied children who’re fleeing the war in Ukraine, are at a “very high risk” of being used for trafficking purposes.

Ylva Johansson, told the European Parliament today, that around one million children may already have fled the conflict. She said some of them have crossed the border alone with just a small bag and without any parent to look after them.

Out words: crime ever

Dur: 00:20

Russia using propaganda machine as weapon of war – EU Borrell

Foreign disinformation and manipulation of the truth are posing a “clear threat” to democracy, stability and security.  That was the warning this morning from the European Commission’s High Representative Josep Borrell.

He was speaking in the European Parliament during a debate on foreign interference in the democratic process in the EU. Mr Borrell told MEPs, Russia is manipulating the truth in its war against Ukraine.

Out words: take place

Dur: 00:19

Temporary protection mechanism for Ukrainians fleeing war – McEntee Brussels

Ireland “will not be found wanting” when it comes to helping those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.

That’s what Justice Minister Helen McEntee said earlier today in Brussels.  She’s attending an EU council meeting of Justice and Home affairs ministers.

They’ll be discussing the European Commission's proposal to activate the Temporary Protection Directive to offer quick and effective assistance to people fleeing the war in Ukraine. Under this proposal, those escaping the conflict, will be given a residence permit in EU countries. And they’ll have access to education and the labour market.

Here’s Minister McEntee.

Out words: three years

Dur: 00:13

Ireland will not be found wanting on Ukrainian crisis – McEntee Brussels

EU ministers will discuss proposals to enable Ukrainian refugees to be given temporary protection in EU member states during meetings in Brussels today.

Ministers will examine the European Commission's proposal to activate the Temporary Protection Directive to offer quick and effective assistance to people fleeing the war in Ukraine. Under this proposal, those escaping the conflict will be given a residence permit in EU member countries. And they will have access to education and the labour market.

Ireland’s Justice Minister Helen McEntee who’s attending the meetings in Brussels, said she will be pushing to ensure a decision is taken to activate the protection mechanism.  

Out words: wanting

Dur: 00:24

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