Why the EU’s climbdown on aid to Ukraine matters

Plus the state of play within Fianna Fáil

Listen | 40:02
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever. Belgium was one of a number of EU member states that opposed using Russian assets to fund a package of financial assistance for Ukraine. Photograph: Nicolas Maeterlinck / AFP.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever. Belgium was one of a number of EU member states that opposed using Russian assets to fund a package of financial assistance for Ukraine. Photograph: Nicolas Maeterlinck / AFP.

It was a difficult week for Micheal Martin and FIanna Fáil with the delivery of the report on the party’s failed presidential campaign. Martin’s position as leader is safe for now, but questions and doubts remain. In part one of today’s Inside Politics podcast Pat Leahy delivers his assessment of the state of play within Fianna Fáil.

In part two Jack Power reports from Brussels on the ongoing EU summit, where European leaders have agreed on a package of financial support for Ukraine. But the deal came after difficult negotiations and only after Plan A - using frozen Russian assets to pay Ukraine - was ditched. Instead, the EU will fund the package itself. Jack explains how the deal went down and why it was a significant moment within European geopolitics.

And finally Pat, Jack and Hugh pick their favourite Irish Times articles of the week, including a warning on antisemitism, a profile of Tommy Robinson and a look at the new season of Emily in Paris.

OUR PODCASTS