The key facts

  • Two days of Russia–Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi mediated by the United States resulted in an agreement on a prisoner exchange
  • At the European Political Community summit in Dublin, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner briefed Zelensky on the progress of the peace talks
  • The programme also discusses the European Commission's e-commerce proposals, the dispute over Poland's Constitutional Tribunal and COP31 in Antalya

Outcomes of the Abu Dhabi talks and the meeting in Dublin

According to Euronews, two days of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi, mediated by the United States, ended with an agreement on a prisoner exchange. Correspondent Sasha Vakulina, in the Europe Today programme, examines what exactly was achieved over these two days; no further details about the content of the agreements are given in the programme preview.

European leaders in Dublin

The second major story of the programme is the summit of the European Political Community in Dublin. According to Euronews, correspondent Shona Murray reports that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner briefed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the progress of the peace talks on the sidelines of the meeting. Thus, the diplomatic track on Ukraine ran along two lines at once: the talks themselves in Abu Dhabi and the briefing by the American envoys for Zelensky in Dublin.

Other topics in the programme

Alongside the Ukraine story, the Europe Today programme also covers other topics. European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath speaks with journalist Angela Skujins about the tougher measures prepared by Brussels against harmful e-commerce platforms, as well as the dispute surrounding Poland's Constitutional Tribunal. Marine ecologist Louise Firth of University College Cork reflects on whether the COP31 climate conference in Antalya can deliver results for the oceans and coastal communities. In addition, the programme features a preview of the new show World Conversation with Jane Witherspoon, which starts at 21:10 Central European Time with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, as a guest, as well as the premiere of the second season of the debate programme The Ring, in which MEPs Benedetta Scuderi (Greens, Italy) and Markus Ferber (a Christian Democrat, Germany) argue over whether the EU is moving in the right direction.

About the programme

Europe Today airs on weekdays at 8:00 Brussels time on Euronews and its digital platforms — YouTube, Facebook, X and Instagram; the presenter is Stefan Grobe. The programme lasts 20 minutes and is also available as a newsletter and a podcast Radio Schuman.