Latest news bulletin | January 17th – Morning
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.
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00:00 At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concerns on the effectiveness of sanctions against Russia.
00:07 "Europe must continue empowering Ukraine resistance with or without the support of Hungary," President Bondar-Lehian said in Davos.
00:16 Officials at the World Economic Forum say the Red Sea crisis is posing a new risk for Europe.
00:25 The Polish Law and Justice Opposition Party disrupts parliamentary proceedings to demand the release of two jailed members.
00:38 Romanian farmers and truck drivers continue to protest after talks with the government fail to reach an agreement.
00:50 At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concerns on the effectiveness of sanctions against Russia.
00:57 The current measures fail to impede Russian missile production, he said, as key components from Western countries are still being used by Moscow.
01:05 President Zelensky also emphasized on the need for global sanctions on Russia's nuclear industry, as he considers President Putin's hostage-taking of a nuclear power plant as an act of terrorism.
01:17 "Can freezing the war in Ukraine be its end? I don't want to settle for the truism that any frozen conflict will eventually reignite.
01:33 I remind you that after 2014, there were attempts to freeze the war in Donbass. There were very, very influential guarantors of those, by the way, of those protocols,
01:49 than Chancellor of Germany and the President of France. But Putin is a predator who is not satisfied with the frozen products."
02:02 2024 must be a decisive year for Ukraine and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
02:07 This is what the President Volodymyr Zelensky said here at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos.
02:15 He said that every time in the past when Ukraine asked for more weapons, more sanctions, more support and more measures against Russia, Ukraine was taught not to escalate.
02:26 But in fact, he said that escalation would have taught Russia a lot.
02:31 He also said that none of Moscow's threats came through. Each came out as bluff.
02:38 Now, Volodymyr Zelensky here in Davos is having a number of meetings, but his main message here is for the world to put an end with just and stable peace to the war in Ukraine.
02:49 And he is inviting the allies to be part of this.
02:52 Sasha Vakulina from Davos for Euronews.
02:58 Europe must continue empowering Ukraine's resistance with or without the support of Hungary.
03:03 That was the message of the President of the European Commission in Davos, where she met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
03:10 Yet financing is urgently needed and Hungary is still blocking 50 billion euros in long-term assistance to Kiev.
03:17 Talking to Euronews, Ursula von der Leyen said she still hopes the 27 member states can find common ground.
03:23 Ukraine needs that, but it's currently being held up due to a member of the European Union.
03:28 How do you solve a problem like Viktor Orban and how does Zelensky feel about being caught up in political squabbling?
03:35 I think it's very important to engage with all 27 member states of the European Union to get the 50 billion euro for four years for Ukraine up and running.
03:46 And this is the phase we're in right now. It's a preparation for the extraordinary European Council on the 1st of February.
03:53 It's hard work. We have discussed many different issues. For me it's very important.
03:57 My personal priority is to have an agreement by 27.
04:01 If this is not possible, we are prepared for an agreement by 26, but I strongly support and prefer an agreement by 27.
04:11 Also in Davos, President von der Leyen met with Li Jiang, Premier of the People's Republic of China,
04:18 where they discussed the growing trade imbalances.
04:21 The bloc currently has a nearly 400 billion trade deficit with China.
04:25 With the Chinese leadership, I have discussed the trade issues of the European Union and basically
04:33 the principle of de-risk, not de-couple. Not de-couple is very clear. It's neither reasonable nor feasible.
04:40 And there are topics where we cooperate like fighting climate change.
04:45 But we're very clear and frank on the trade imbalances we have with China,
04:52 and that the Chinese leadership has to do something about it.
04:56 These were details we discussed, and it's good to have a very frank and open discussion.
05:00 During her speech in Davos, the President of the European Commission also said that an era has started
05:06 where conflict and confrontation are overlapping.
05:09 She described it as the greatest risk to the global order in the post-war era.
05:13 They need a sustained supply of weapons to defend Ukraine and regain control.
05:22 The business case for EU enlargement.
05:25 This was the issue discussed by an EU news discussion panel at the World Economic Forum.
05:30 Several countries are on the waiting list to join the bloc, but they must overcome many obstacles.
05:35 Our guests talked to EU news Sasha Bakulina about corruption, globalization,
05:41 and the challenge to expansion from authoritarian regimes.
05:44 If you'd like to attract investment, we need to connect rule of law,
05:48 anti-corruption, independence, and the judicial system.
05:51 We need to talk about this. I think that we should now stick to this as part of the European project.
05:57 Those countries have to show their wish really to respect this,
06:02 because that means predictability, certainty. We can build confidence.
06:06 What we've seen over the last year is that globalization is moving in the wrong direction.
06:11 And free trade is becoming a scarce resource.
06:13 And now we see a chance to expand the home territory.
06:17 What is EU? What all European companies, European-based companies are depending upon.
06:22 Then I think it's really a pity not to take that chance.
06:26 But unfortunately, quite nearby, we have the regimes
06:28 who really want to test and challenge the existing world order.
06:34 Those countries like Russia, like Iran, like North Korea, and maybe some others,
06:40 they are thinking literally like that.
06:42 So it's a time to take the bold and strong decisions.
06:46 And EU expansion, we believe, is one of them,
06:49 which really can stop and preserve the normal development of the world.
06:54 Euronews is broadcasting several key events and high-level interviews over the course of the week
07:00 at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
07:06 The spectrum of inflation continues to trouble Europe's economy,
07:10 even if the battle is gradually wearing down.
07:13 That's a common theme among leaders at the World Economic Forum.
07:16 In an interview with Euronews, a top official with the European Bank for Reconstruction and
07:21 Development said the Red Sea crisis is posing a new risk.
07:25 The core inflation remains substantial. And everybody understands that fighting core inflation
07:33 is a lengthy and more painful process.
07:35 Moreover, the war in the Middle East and in particular disruptions to shipping
07:42 mean that there's always a danger of increase in energy prices that would fuel inflation.
07:50 A potential trade conflict between China and the US
07:54 could also have a negative impact on Europe's climate goals, Javorchik believes.
08:00 My fear is that escalating trade tensions may lead to new restrictions of export of
08:08 critical raw materials and therefore may jeopardize green transition.
08:13 The Polish opposition party disrupted parliamentary proceedings on Tuesday,
08:22 calling for the immediate release of two former government officials,
08:26 Mariusz Kaminski and Maciej Wasik.
08:29 Last week, the two MPs were arrested at the presidential palace after a Warsaw court
08:34 sentenced them to two years behind bars for abuse of power for actions taken in 2007.
08:40 The Polish president, Andrzej Duda, initially pardoned them in 2015 for the same crimes.
08:46 However, legal experts have questioned the validity of the act.
08:50 Duda announced last Thursday he had launched a new process to pardon them again.
08:56 "Farmers and lorry drivers continue to protest in Romania. On Monday night,
09:05 the access to the ports of Constanta and Brasov were blocked,
09:09 while dozens of trucks once again interrupted road traffic.
09:12 Earlier in the day, government and farmers associations met for talks.
09:16 Hours later, the Romanian Minister of Agriculture said most of the demands had been met,
09:22 a claim denied by the protesters.
09:26 "This cry of despair is not only about agriculture and transport.
09:31 These are measures we demand for the protection of our businesses,
09:36 for the protection of civil society, for our protection as Romanians."
09:40 Farmers are demanding faster subsidy payments, compensation for losses caused by imports from
09:46 neighboring Ukraine, and more state aid for fuel costs, amongst other demands.
09:51 Truck drivers are calling for lower tax and insurance rates,
09:55 and have complained about lengthy waiting times at the borders.
09:58 As Spanish cities grapple with the invasion of electric scooters,
10:05 Valencia has become the first region to introduce a traffic law to control them.
10:10 From now on, electric scooters will have to be registered and display a license plate.
10:15 In addition, they will be limited to a speed of 25 kilometers per hour,
10:20 and users will require a mandatory insurance that costs between 20 and 90 euros per year.
10:27 Those failing to comply with the new rules could face fines ranging between 100 and 1,000 euros.
10:33 Jose Mourinho is leaving AS Roma with immediate effect.
10:39 After its 3-1 loss against Milan on Sunday,
10:42 the club now risks missing the Champions League for a sixth straight season.
10:47 Mourinho was in his third season at Roma.
10:49 He led the club to the UEFA Conference League title in his first season
10:53 and the European League finals last year, but his behavior towards referees has often
10:58 been controversial. He was suspended from the Milan game this weekend due to his protests.
11:03 Former Roma captain Daniel De Rossi and Antonio Conte are possible contenders to take over.
11:08 Argentinian star Lionel Messi has become the first footballer to be named FIFA Men's Player
11:16 of the Year for the third time. Unable to attend the ceremony in London,
11:20 his award was accepted on his behalf by the event's co-host Thierry Henry.
11:24 Spain's World Cup winner Aitana Bonmati took the award for Best Women's Player.
11:30 While England boss Serena Wichman won the Best Women's Coach for the second successive year
11:37 and a fourth time. And Manchester United's Mary Earps collected Best Women's Goalkeeper award.
11:44 [WHOOSH]