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 the escalating conflict in the Middle East, and its implications for the European Union.

Jalloul, who hails from the socialist party of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, argues that Spain was right to question the legality of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran. She also calls out the brutality of the Iranian regime and backs the Iranian people's struggle to re-claim their freedom.

While Lopatka, from the centre-right EPP group, agrees that the legality of the strikes is questionable, he argues that the intervention is "justified" as the US aims to constrain Iran's nuclear capacities and support for its proxies, such as Hezbollah and the Houthis.

The Ring is Euronews’ weekly political showdown, where Europe’s toughest debates meet their boldest voices.

In each episode, two political heavyweights from across the EU face off to propose a diversity of opinions and spark conversations around the most important issues of EU affairs and the wider European political life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, we are joined by two Lithuanian MEPs: Aurelijus Veryga from the ECR (European Conservatives and Reformists) group and Petras Auštrevičius from the liberal Renew Europe group.

Although from opposing political families, one conservative and the other liberal, both agree that Ukraine belongs inside the European Union. We ask the big question: Is enlargement a test of solidarity, a measure of Europe’s strategic power, or both?

The Ring is Euronews’ weekly political showdown, where Europe’s toughest debates meet their boldest voices.

In each episode, two political heavyweights from across the EU face off to propose a diversity of opinions and spark conversations around the most important issues of EU affairs and the wider European political life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 país sob pressão social, com uma crise na habitação, tensões económicas e crescente fragmentação política?

Esta semana, no The Ring, gravado na Nova School of Business and Economics, discutimos o que estas eleições significam para a estabilidade interna de Portugal e para o equilíbrio político europeu.

Mariana Corrêa recebe Carlos Coelho, antigo eurodeputado do Partido Popular Europeu, e André Franqueira Rodrigues, eurodeputado do Grupo dos Socialistas & Democratas, para um debate direto sobre se Portugal conseguiu conter a extrema-direita — ou apenas adiou um confronto mais profundo.

Com a Europa atenta, fica a pergunta: este resultado reforça a posição de Portugal em Bruxelas ou expõe fraturas que vão além de uma vitória eleitoral clara?

The Ring is Euronews’ weekly political showdown, where Europe’s toughest debates meet their boldest voices.

In each episode, two political heavyweights from across the EU face off to propose a diversity of opinions and spark conversations around the most important issues of EU affairs and the wider European political life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 European Parliament is discussing the “safe third country” concept and the creation of an EU-wide list of safe countries of origin. At the same time, Spain has approved a large-scale regularisation plan granting legal status to thousands of migrants.

MEPs Juan Fernando López Aguilar (Socialists and Democrats) and Tomas Tobé (European People’s Party) clash in a heated debate on one defining question: can the EU balance effective migration management with fundamental rights, or will political divisions once again shape Europe’s path forward?

The Ring is Euronews’ weekly political showdown, where Europe’s toughest debates meet their boldest voices.

In each episode, two political heavyweights from across the EU face off to propose a diversity of opinions and spark conversations around the most important issues of EU affairs and the wider European political life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 EU’s digital agenda: as platforms and algorithms shape children’s education and social life, the debate goes far beyond screen time. It’s about what kind of digital Europe we are building for the next generation.

To unpack different visions, we’re joined by Christel Schaldemose of the Socialists and Democrats and Axel Voss of the European People’s Party. Two different approaches, one central question: can Brussels set common standards that both protect and empower Europe’s children — or will political divisions prevent the EU from taking decisive action?

The Ring is Euronews’ weekly political showdown, where Europe’s toughest debates meet their boldest voices.

In each episode, two political heavyweights from across the EU face off to propose a diversity of opinions and spark conversations around the most important issues of EU affairs and the wider European political life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 unreliable partner and China an ever more dominant competitor, trade is no longer just about growth — it’s about security and influence.

As Brussels pushes ahead with negotiations with India, revives the Mercosur agreement, and deepens ties with Indo-Pacific partners, a fundamental divide is opening inside the EU. We are joined by MEPs Ciaran Mullooly of Renew Europe and Jörgen Warborn of the European People’s Party. Two opposing visions of EU trade policy raise a central question: Can Europe shape global trade on its own terms — or is it destined to react to decisions made elsewhere?

The Ring is Euronews’ weekly political showdown, where Europe’s toughest debates meet their boldest voices.

In each episode, two political heavyweights from across the EU face off to propose a diversity of opinions and spark conversations around the most important issues of EU affairs and the wider European political life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 of the European People’s Party and MEP Lina Gálvez of the Socialists & Democrats. Two sharply opposing views on Europe’s global role raise one crucial question: Should the EU uphold international law at all costs—or adapt to a new power-based reality?

The Ring is Euronews’ weekly political showdown, where Europe’s toughest debates meet their boldest voices.

In each episode, two political heavyweights from across the EU face off to propose a diversity of opinions and spark conversations around the most important issues of EU affairs and the wider European political life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 European question:

With the new Migration and Asylum Pact not entering into force before 2026, are these latest measures a necessary response to security concerns—or a step toward a “Fortress Europe”?

As irregular crossings remain deadly and far-right pressure grows across member states, the European Parliament now faces a decisive choice: double down on stricter border controls or reaffirm Europe’s commitment to human rights and international law.

The Ring is Euronews’ weekly political showdown, where Europe’s toughest debates meet their boldest voices.

In each episode, two political heavyweights from across the EU face off to propose a diversity of opinions and spark conversations around the most important issues of EU affairs and the wider European political life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.