Von der Leyen: 'Europe is at a watershed'
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What are the main highlights of the EU summit in Brussels?
This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Rachel Wright, and at 1400 Hours GMT on Thursday, the 6th of March, these are our main stories. European leaders meet in Brussels at what's been described as a turning point in history. The UN's releasing more than $100 million to compensate for massive cuts to global aid. And pilot error is being blamed after South Korean warplanes accidentally bombed civilian targets in a training exercise.
also in this podcast. It's probably one of the greatest feelings in the world when people let you know how the music has affected them.
The legendary American jazz musician Roy Ayers dies at the age of 84. All 27 leaders of the European Union have gathered in Brussels with Ukraine on their minds. But, of course, a wider sense that the world is changing and they need to step up.
Why is Europe's security at a watershed moment?
This is a watershed moment for Europe. And Ukraine, as part of our European family, it's also a watershed moment for Ukraine. Europe faces a clear and present danger, and therefore Europe has to be able to protect itself, to defend itself, as we have to put Ukraine in a position to protect itself and to push for lasting and just peace.
How is the EU supporting Ukraine amidst global tensions?
That's the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, as she entered the emergency summit, a meeting prompted by a week in which President Trump distanced the U.S. from Europe's security and called into question future assistance. He also suspended military aid to Ukraine. The president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, was clear to point out the country did not stand alone.
We are here to support Ukraine, to achieve... a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. And dear Vladimir, we are with you since day one. We'll continue with you now and we will continue in the future.
In turn, President Zelensky thanked the EU for its enduring support and for its commitment to further boost funding for Ukraine.
I want to thank all our European leaders for such signal, strong support, strong support from the very beginning of the war. And during all this period and last week, you stayed with us. And of course, from all the Ukrainians, from all our nations, big appreciation. We are very thankful that we are not alone. And these are not just words, we feel it.
Our Europe correspondent Nick Beek is in Brussels for the summit.
These aren't just words. He is really hoping that what happens today is that some of these pledges manifest to hard commitments and things that make a difference on the battlefield. Of course, this is an emergency summit, so whether or not we get some big agreement at the end of it, I think, is unlikely. But it is symbolic, and we saw the hands on the shoulder there, the fact that they were standing shoulder to shoulder, President Zelensky and the people who really are figureheads. In Europe, that sends a message. It sends a message to Vladimir Putin. And of course, in these extraordinary times, it sends a message to President Trump in the White House, too. Another thing to bear in mind is that the decisions that are taken here in this format at this summit, they're always unanimous. So all 27 leaders have to agree. And the problem comes in the form of Victor Orban. He's the Hungarian leader. He's close to Putin. He's more sympathetic to Moscow than probably any other member of the European Union.
He's said that he can't put his name to any sort of words on Ukraine, which may or may not say we'll be with Ukraine for as long as it takes, because Mr Orban's argument is that the facts have changed. You've got the White House talking to the Kremlin directly, President Trump... wanting to talk more with President Putin. And so Mr. Orban is saying, well, look, Europe should follow suit.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
What are the main highlights of the EU summit in Brussels?
0:38–1:44
2
Why is Europe's security at a watershed moment?
1:44–2:09
3
How is the EU supporting Ukraine amidst global tensions?
2:09–6:08
4
What impact has the US aid cuts had on global humanitarian efforts?
6:08–8:28
5
What new discoveries have scientists made in the immune system?
8:28–28:44
Speakers
16 identified
Rachel Wright 6 min
Steve Rosenberg 3 min
Imogen Folks 2 min
Celia Hatton 2 min
James Menendez 2 min
Podcast Narrator 2 min
Vitaly Shevchenko 2 min
Nick Miles 2 min
Rob Watson 1 min
Samira Hussain 1 min
Ella Bicknell 1 min
Emily 1 min
Unidentified 1 min
President Zelensky
Ursula von der Leyen
Antonio Guterres
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