The Ring

As tensions escalate in the Middle East, the impact is being felt far beyond the region — especially on global energy markets. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have tightened supply routes, pushing prices higher and adding new uncertainty for European economies. Where does Europe stand as the pressure builds? MEPs Fabrice Leggeri, from Patriots for Europe, and Jussi Saramo, from The Left, go he...

Europe is facing spiralling healthcare costs, driven by an ageing population and the growing burden of chronic diseases. At the same time, demand for cutting-edge treatments is rising — bringing a fundamental question into focus: who should pay for healthcare innovation, and to what extent should health be treated as a business? MEPs Tilly Metz, from the Greens, and Stine Bosse, from Renew Europe,...

As the war in Iran enters its second week, the ripple effects are reaching Europe — from rising energy prices to growing security concerns on the EU’s southeastern flank.   Where does Europe stand as the conflict escalates? MEPs Daniel Attard , from the Socialists & Democrats group, and Antonio López-Istúriz , from the centre-right European People’s Party, go head to head to debate how th...

A spiralling conflict has erupted in the Middle East, risking major regional spill-over and dragging in European Union countries. Was the EU right to refrain from criticising the initial attack on Iran? Are EU nations now inevitably being dragged into war? And what are the implications for Europe's economy, security, and stability? MEPs Hana Jalloul and Reinhold Lopatka go head to head to debate t...

Should Ukraine be given fast-track membership into the European Union? The majority of MEPs seem to think so. Although they may not see eye to eye on the how or the exact when, most MEPs think Ukrainian EU membership would send a strong message of support to Ukrainians and one of defiance to the Kremlin. To mark four years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, this week on The Ring,...

Dez dias após a segunda volta das presidenciais, o cenário político em Portugal continua em análise. António José Seguro venceu de forma clara André Ventura, travando a chegada da extrema-direita à Presidência da República — mas as questões de fundo permanecem. Foi esta uma reafirmação dos valores democráticos ou uma coligação tática para conter o populismo? E o que revela este resultado sobre um...

From parliamentary debates to cultural moments that spotlight identity and belonging, migration is not just about policy — it’s about who belongs, who decides, and what kind of Europe is taking shape.   This week on The Ring , we look beyond technical language and legal definitions to ask a broader question: can Europe reconcile national migration choices with collective responsibility? The E...

How far should the EU go to protect children online? Should there be EU-wide age limits, stricter rules for social media platforms, and bans on addictive design features like infinite scrolling? Or does Brussels risk overreach — infringing on national competences and limiting children’s digital rights and freedoms? This week on The Ring , we turn to one of the most sensitive questions facing the E...

What are the pros and cons of the EU-Mercosur trade deal? Why did the European Parliament send the text to the Court of Justice for clarification? Why did the EU sign an EU-India trade deal this week, and how will it impact you?   This week on The Ring , we turn to the future of European trade policy as economics and geopolitics become impossible to separate. With the US an increasingly unrel...

Will Europe stay silent in the face of Trump's ambitions in Greenland? Is the NATO alliance at risk? This week on The Ring , we focus on Europe’s role in a rapidly fragmenting global order. As international law is increasingly ignored—from Venezuela and Ukraine to Greenland and Iran—the European Union stays divided, reactive and overly cautious on the world stage. We are joined by MEP Henrik Dahl...

This week The Ring turns to Europe’s migration debate, as the EU moves toward tougher deportation rules and explores controversial “return hubs” for rejected asylum-seekers outside the Union. To debate the future of EU migration policy, we are joined by MEP Charlie Weimers , from the Conservatives and Reformists, and MEP Li Andersson , from the Left group. Two sharply opposing visions—one crucial...

¿Cómo puede España salir de esta crisis política? ¿Está en juego la estabilidad del Gobierno de Pedro Sánchez? ¿De qué manera afecta la incertidumbre española a la Unión Europea? En esta edición especial en español presentada por Amaia Echevarria, «The Ring» viaja a Madrid, al histórico Ateneo, para analizar la creciente tensión política en España con dos voces experimentadas: José Manuel García-M...

This week The Ring focuses on the American-sponsored peace deal aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Is the EU sidelined in the peace talks? Should the EU prepare for war and increase its defence capabilities? Is military service the answer to boost preparedness?  To react to the latest developments, we are joined in by liberal Irish MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú and conservative Romanian MEP Cristia...

In this episode, The Ring turns its focus to one of the EU’s most decisive battles: Is the Green Deal still alive? Europe’s fight against climate change stands at a turning point. Officially, the 27 maintain a unified front — yet behind the scenes, ambition is fading, targets are being renegotiated, and “industry-first” pressures are gaining ground. Stepping into The Ring this week are Javi López...

Comment la France peut-elle sortir de cette crise politique ? Faut-il en finir avec un modèle social trop coûteux ? La France est-elle en train de perdre toute crédibilité en Europe ?   Cette semaine sur « The Ring » nous sommes à Paris et parlons de la crise politique en France avec Prisca Thevenot, ancienne porte-parole du gouvernement aujourd’hui députée du parti centriste « Ensemble pour...

Who will pay to rearm Europe? And at what price will it come? In this episode, the spotlight turns to one of the continent’s most pressing issues: defence spending.   Two members of the European Parliament take center stage in The Ring: Riho Terras, Army General and former Estonia Chief of Defence, now with the European People’s Party, and Martin Schirdewan, co-chair of the Left.   Both...

Two opposite visions for Europe’s future go head-to-head in the first episode of The Ring — Euronews’ newest political debate show.   Should Europe expand further? And at what cost? David McAllister and Marc Botenga, both Members of the European Parliament, step into the spotlight to debate on one of the EU’s most pressing questions.   A fiery exchange that explores the promises and pitf...