EU Parliament debates defence spending as Ukraine war reshapes security

EU defence spending MEP debate Ukraine war European security The Ring

On 29 July 2026, the Euronews programme The Ring aired an episode focused on the European Union’s security strategy. Hosted by Méabh McMahon and produced by Luis Albertos Altarejos and Amaia Echevarria, the discussion featured several Members of the European Parliament.

MEPs Riho Terras (Estonia, EPP) and Martin Schirdewan (The Left) debated whether Europe should continue increasing military investment and who should bear the cost. A second exchange pitted Austrian EPP MEP Lukas Mandl against Belgian Left MEP Marc Botenga, who offered opposite visions of defence priorities, capabilities and long‑term strategy. Spanish Socialist MEP Hana Jalloul and Austrian EPP MEP Reinhold Lopatka examined the EU’s role in the increasingly volatile Middle East. Former Estonian General and MEP Riho Terras and German MEP Özlem Demirel discussed how the EU should respond to rising regional tensions, seeking a balance between security demands and diplomatic engagement. The debate is framed by Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine, which continues to reshape the continent’s security landscape.

Entities

Lukas Mandl · Marc Botenga · Martin Schirdewan · Riho Terras · Özlem Demirel

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Russia launched a full‑scale invasion of Ukraine. www.euronews.com · it.euronews.com · fr.news.yahoo.com
[● 3 SOURCES] MEP Hana Jalloul (Spain, Socialist) and Reinhold Lopatka (Austria, EPP) discussed the EU’s role in the Middle East. www.euronews.com · it.euronews.com · fr.news.yahoo.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The Ring episode aired on 29 July 2026, hosted by Méabh McMahon, produced by Luis Albertos Altarejos and Amaia Echevarria, and edited/directed by Vassilis Glynos. www.euronews.com · it.euronews.com · fr.news.yahoo.com
[● 3 SOURCES] MEP Lukas Mandl (Austria, EPP) and Marc Botenga (Belgium, The Left) presented opposite visions of EU defence priorities. www.euronews.com · it.euronews.com · fr.news.yahoo.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The debate reflects the EU’s security challenges stemming from the Ukraine war. www.euronews.com · it.euronews.com · fr.news.yahoo.com
[● 3 SOURCES] MEP Riho Terras (Estonia, EPP) and Martin Schirdewan (The Left) debated the cost of increased defence spending. www.euronews.com · it.euronews.com · fr.news.yahoo.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Former General Riho Terras and MEP Özlem Demirel (Germany) discussed how the EU should respond to regional tensions, balancing security and diplomacy. www.euronews.com · it.euronews.com · fr.news.yahoo.com
[● 3 SOURCES] European Parliament members are debating whether Europe should continue increasing military investment. www.euronews.com · it.euronews.com · fr.news.yahoo.com

Sources

The Ring, i grandi dibattiti d'Europa: sicurezza UE, a quale prezzo? [it.euronews.com]

about 1 month ago

Europe’s biggest debates on The Ring - EU’s security… at what cost? [www.euronews.com]

about 1 month ago

Les grands débats européens dans The Ring : la sécurité de l’UE, à quel prix ? [fr.news.yahoo.com]

about 1 month ago