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 the European Union should respond to the war in Iran — and what the crisis could mean for Europe’s economy, security and global role.

Oil prices have surged above 100 dollars a barrel for the first time in four years, raising fears of economic turbulence for Europe’s export-driven economies. At the same time, the crisis is testing the relationship between Brussels and Washington. With Donald Trump back in the White House, will European governments align more closely with the United States, or attempt to chart a more independent path?

Meanwhile, several EU countries have deployed warships to reinforce the defences of Cyprus, an EU member state located close to the conflict zone and already affected by regional tensions.

Take a listen to this week’s episode of The Ring, brought to you from the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

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.

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.