Talk Eastern Europe

In episode 256 of Talk Eastern Europe, hosts Adam, Alexandra and Nina mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine with a heavy week of reflections – as well as some other news from the region. They discuss ongoing protest movements across the Balkans (includingfresh demonstrations in Bosnia and Herzegovina following a deadly tram derailment), tensions in Serbia, and what these cycles of civic anger say about corruption and accountability.The episode then features an interview with Nedim Useinow - a Crimean Tatar originally from Crimea and now a program manager with the German Marshall Fund. Adam and Nedim discuss where the war stands after four years, why current “peace talks” feel hollow, what occupation has meant for Crimea and Crimean Tatars, and how Ukrainians’ resilience has shifted from shock to long-term adaptation. The conversation also touches on Poland’s evolving public mood, disinformation, and why continued support for Ukraine still matters for European security.Read online: “Tortured into confession. The plight of Ukrainian prisoners of war” https://neweasterneurope.eu/2026/02/24/tortured-into-confession-the-plight-of-ukrainian-prisoners-of-war/Listen to Part 1 of this series here - https://talkeasterneurope.eu/episodes/ukraine-four-years-of-resistance-part-1-mobilizing-empathy-for-stolen-children

In episode 255 of Talk Eastern Europe, Alexandra, Adam and Nina discuss the week’s key developments across the region, from Olympic results to the latest from the Munich Security Conference, including EU calls related to Russia–Ukraine regotiations and a high-level US visit to the countries of theregion.The second half features the first instalment of our special series commemorating the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. For this episode, Nina sat down with Ukrainian-Canadian singer, folklorist and activist Marichka. She reflects on her journey from musician to activist, medic and war journalist and speaks about her musical project Daughters of Donbas, where she collaborates with international artists and amplifies survivor voices, including Lisa, a young woman who survived filtration camps in Mariupol.In the bonus episode, Marichka stays on to speak about Ukrainian folk music traditions and briefly sings in the “open voice” polyphonic singing technique. She also speaks about her digital archive, Folk Songs of Ukraine. Our patrons can listen to that here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-255-folk-151154003Check out Daughters of Donbas Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/p/Daughters-of-Donbas-61572669756771/Check out Daughters of Donbas Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/daughtersofdonbas/

In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Nina and Alexandra run through the week’s key stories, from renewed diplomatic manoeuvring around Russia’s war in Ukraine (and fresh EU support for Kyiv) to political turbulence in Bosnia and Hungary and concerns over media independence in Europe. The second half features an interview with political scientist and NEE contributing editor Tatevik Hovhannisyan on Armenia’s upcoming June elections, the post–Nagorno-Karabakh political landscape, and Yerevan’s tricky balancing act between Russia, the EU and the US. The hosts also share details on an upcoming Patreon-onlyfilm screening and discussion connected to Srebrenica. Want to learn more – join us on patreon: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeFurther reading:“For Armenia, peace dividends are finally starting to show up. In 2026, they need to keep coming” by Nicholas Castillo. New Eastern Europe 10 Feb 2026: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2026/02/10/for-armenia-peace-dividends-are-finally-starting-to-show-up-in-2026-they-need-to-keep-coming/

In this episode, the co-hosts break down the latestdevelopments across Ukraine, Czechia, and Croatia, while Nina explores the regional implications of the Epstein files’ release.For the main conversation, Adam and Alexandra speak with Megi Benia in Tbilisi about Georgia’s accelerating democratic backsliding: from new laws targeting NGOs, media, and political activity to growing pressure on universities and civil society. They also discuss the OSCE’s decision to activate the Moscow Mechanism, and why many Georgians feel the EU and wider international community have responded too timidly as the country drifts away from Euro-Atlantic integration.In the bonus section, which is exclusively available to our patrons, Megi shares her personal story of dissent inside Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs after diplomats took the unprecedented step of publicly opposing the government’s foreign policy shift.Listen to the bonus conversation here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/253-bonus-150030402Join our patreon page here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Nina, Alexandra and Adam catch up on some of the latest news, including the dire situation in Ukraine, the ongoing peace negotiations and President Zelenskyy’s meeting with Belarusian democratic leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. They also look at Montenegro’s progress towards EU accession and mention the resignation of Bulgaria’s president, setting up the main topic for the episode.After the news, Adam is joined by Svetoslav Todorov, a Bulgarian journalist and writer, to unpack the situation there. They look at last month’s wave of mass protests, the collapse of yet another government, and try to determine what’s driving public anger beyond the budget dispute. They also touch on the growing role of young people, the country’s turbulent election cycle, the smooth but controversial adoption of the euro, and how pro-Russian narratives continue to shape Bulgaria’s political landscape.Do you like this podcast? Please support it by becoming apatron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeHelp Ukrainians survive this winter. Here are some fundraisers you can support:Nova Ukraine’s “warmth for Ukraine” campaign: https://novaukraine.org/warmth-for-ukraine-a-humanitarian-appeal/United24 – Ukraine’s official fundraising portal: https://u24.gov.ua/ Energize Ukraine – by the Ukrainian World Congress: https://energizeukraine.com/

Talk Eastern Europe is back for 2026! Adam and Alex open theepisode with a discussion on the news from the region, including Ukraine, Slovakia, Hungary and Kosovo. Later, Adam is joined by Mark Temnicky, contributor with Forbes, to assesshow US engagement across Eastern Europe and the region is reshaping regional security. Mark argues that while Ukraine has made real concessions in pursuit of peace, Russia has shown little interest in a sustainable settlement, raising serious doubts about the prospects for a lasting agreement in 2026. The discussion also looks beyond Ukraine to cover also Belarus, Georgia, the South Caucasus, and the wider global order. If you enjoy this podcast please become a patron! Join ushere: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this special final episode of Talk Eastern Europe in 2025, Alexandra and Adam sit down with Jasmin Mujanović on the margins of the Sarajevo Security Conference to discuss current security challenges faced in the region of the Western Balkans. The conversation looks at developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the ongoing protests in Serbia, and the broader geopolitical context shaping stability in the Western Balkans, including the roles of the EU, NATO, and key regional actors.Jasmin Mujanović is a senior non-resident fellow at the Washington, DC-based New Lines Institute's Western Balkans Center and an expert on the region, security and transatlantic relations. If you like the podcast, please consider supporting us: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeThank you to all of our patrons and listeners for being with us in 2025. We will be back after a short break to bring all new episodes in 2026!

In this near-final episode of 2025, the three co-hosts of Talk Eastern Europe reflect on the key political, social and geopolitical developments that shaped the region over the past year. They discuss waves of protest across several countries, the resilience of civil society, and the evolving security environment and geopolitical shifts since the start of 2025, including the impact of the new US presidency. The conversation also looks ahead to 2026 and considers what listeners should be watching in the year to come.The opening part concludes with a reflection on the success of Talk Eastern Europe in 2025, as the co-hosts share their favourite episodes and recommend past conversations worth revisiting.In the second part of the episode, Nina speaks with Owen Hatherley, a British writer, journalist and cultural critic known for his work on architecture, urbanism and politics, particularly modernism and communism. Together, they explore the profound influence of Central European émigrés on British architecture, culture and literature in the mid-20th century, tracing how these figures reshaped Britain’s intellectual and cultural landscape during and after the Second World War.These themes are explored in depth in Owen’s book The Alienation Effect: How Central European Émigrés Transformed the British Twentieth Century: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/311898/the-alienation-effect-by-hatherley-owen/9780241378205Some figures and references mentioned in the interview:Otti Berger – Croatian designerEugene (Evžen) RosenbergJosef Herman – Polish-British painterJankel Adler – Polish painterJan Tschichold – German calligrapher and typographerHans Schmoller – German and British graphic designerRomek Marber – Polish-born graphic designer behind Penguin’s ‘Marber Grid’Walter Neurath and Eva Neurath – founders of Thames & HudsonBerthold Lubetkin – architect associated with Soviet Bauhaus and VkhutemasErnő Goldfinger – Hungarian architect, designer of London’s Balfron Tower and Trellick TowerKarel Čapek – Czech author and his book Letters from EnglandBertolt Brecht – German theatre practitioner, and the author of the Alienation theory (Verfremdungseffekt)Otto Neurath – Austrian polymathDua Lipa – British-Albanian pop singer, born to Kosovar Albanian parentsFor Talk Eastern Europe Patrons, Owen Hatherley stayed on for an extended discussion on Polish milk bars and their cultural significance which can be heard here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/249-bonus-polish-146141039

Help us reach our goal of 75 podcast patrons! Join us at www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope.Adam and Alexandra open this episode with the latest news from the region. They look at the importance of the mass protests in Bulgaria and later discuss Czechia’s new/old prime minister and balloons over Lithuania. They also briefly discuss the latest developments surrounding the peace process aimed at ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.For the main interview, Adam is joined by Georgian activist Mariam Japaridze to discuss a turbulent year of mass protests and growing authoritarianism after the Georgian Dream government halted the country’s EU integration in 2024. She describes the dramatic escalation of repression, from rigged elections to the use of violence and even chemical agents against demonstrators as uncovered recently by the BBC. Despite the challenges, she shares why activists remain determined and what international support Georgia urgently needs.  Read more on the Bulgarian protests in this week’s Brief Eastern Europe: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/p/december-8-2025Read "One year of Georgia’s unbreakable resistance, as told by its prisoners of conscience" https://neweasterneurope.eu/2025/12/05/one-year-of-georgias-unbreakable-resistance-as-told-by-its-prisoners-of-conscience/To learn more about the political prisoners in Georgia you can visit a site set up by the IliaUni Student Movement: https://politpatimrebi.ge/?lang=en

In this episode, Adam and Nina are together in Brussels recording the latest updates on the news from the region. The biggest discussion is around the diplomatic flurry over the last week and the remodelled 28-point peace plan between the US, Russia and Ukraine. Adam reflects on the current situation and discusses what might be next. They also discuss Viktor Orban’s visit to MoscowLater, Nina sits down in Brussels with Peter Vermeersch, a professor of Politics and Eastern European Studies at the University of Leuven (KU Leuven, Belgium), and a writer of essays, reportage, and narrative non-fiction. They discuss his latest book Pollslag (Pulse) and, more broadly, the role of music as a form of resistance against authoritarianism beyond Belarus.During the interview, Peter mentions several artists featured in this Spotify playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3YmjGTewBHutfgJWUOASiD?si=jcJ-lu-OSj6dr8csRAf8PAPollslag was initially written for a Belgian audience, and Peter is now planning to translate it into English. In the meantime, you can read his non-fiction story about his family to get a sense of his narrative style: https://petervermeersch.craft.me/hbzUOUDh9tgMxIPeter is also part of the Forum on Central and Eastern Europe at the University of Leuven, which aims to bring insights from the region to Belgian audiences: https://fcee.beThe Forum also produces its own podcast, Studio Central Eastern Europe, offering brief and concise insights into new research on the region for English-speaking audiences: https://soc.kuleuven.be/lines/fcee/fcee-studio/studio-ceePeter also works as a researcher–photographer. His photographs from Minsk (2016) can be found here: https://vsco.co/petervermeersch/journal/belarusAnd read Adam’s op-ed on the Ukraine peace talks via Brief Eastern Europe: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/p/december-1-2025For our Patrons, Peter stayed on to speak about visual art and Belarusian pro-democracy activism outside of Belarus. The bonus content can be found here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-247-145134701

Alexandra and Nina open the episode with a rundown of the latest news, including ongoing American diplomacy vis a vis Russia and Ukraine, the closure of the Hungarian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, a new ruling by the European Court of Justice related to same-sex marriage, the election results in the Republika Srpska entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Albania’s positive progress toward EU membership.Alexandra is then joined by Catherine Baker of the University of Hull for the main interview. Catherine is a specialist in post-Cold War history, international relations, and cultural studies researching national identity and popular music during and after the Yugoslav Wars. Together they discuss some of late Yugoslavia’s most famous artists, how their work evolved alongside the borders of the successor states, and how they have been remembered over time and today. Some of the artists and songs mentioned in the episode include:Neda Ukraden - Zora je (1985) Doris Dragović  Željo moja (1986)Severina - Dalmatinka (1993) Ceca - Pustite me da ga vidim (1990)Alka Vuica - Laži me (1994)Lepa Brena - Luda za tobom (1996)Maja Blagdan - Sveta ljubav (1996)Zabranjeno pušenje - Jugo 45 (1999)Bijelo Dugme - 1st reunion tour (2005)Baby Lasagna - Rim Tim Tagi Dim (2024)Catherine’s latest work focuses on the Eurovision Song Contest, which will be the subject of forthcoming bonus content exclusive to Talk Eastern Europe patrons. Listen online here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/246-bonus-144726903

This episode opens up with all three co-hosts, Adam, Nina and Alexandra, taking a look at a few headlines coming out of the region. They discuss the sabotage operation in Poland, the ongoing war in Ukraine in midst of an emerging corruption scandal, and the fall out of the EU’s new ban on multi-entry visas for Russian citizens.For the main interview, Alexandra speaks with regional expert Nurbek Bekmurzaev about Kyrgyzstan’s unprecedented snap parliamentary elections taking place on November 30th. Nurbeck explains how the legacy of the 2020 unrest, whichbrought President Sadyr Japarov to power, continues to shape Kyrgyzstan’s political transformation. The conversation explores the new electoral rules, the changing nature of political competition, candidate filtering, and the likelihood of any protests or instability around the vote. In our bonus section for Patrons only, Alexandra and Nurbek take a look at the recent C5+1 summit in Washington, exploring how the US under Donald Trump is reshaping its approach to Central Asia.Listen to the bonus episode here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-245-144000977Help us reach 75 Patrons by the end of 2025! Sign up for great benefits here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope Check out the report by the Balkan Free Media Initiative - Tackling TikTokracy: A blueprint for fighting algorithmic manipulation in Europe. https://www.balkanfreemedia.org/tackling-tiktokcracy-in-the-balkans Read this week’s Brief Eastern Europe: https://www.briefeasterneurope.eu

This episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Adam and Alexandra begin with a roundup of key regional developments including Russia’s renewed strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and a major corruption scandal involving the state nuclear operator Energoatom. They also discuss Viktor Orbán’s trip to Washington and touch on shifting dynamics in the South Caucasus.In the main interview, Alexandra speaks with Slovenian journalist Uroš Škerl Kramberger from Ostro about a recent tragic incident that has shaken Slovenia and reignited public debate over policing, minority rights, and Roma inclusion. Together, they explore the political response, the rise ofpopulist rhetoric ahead of next year’s elections, and what this says about Slovenia’s broader democratic trajectory.Help us reach our goal of 70 Patrons by the end of 2025! Join our community here:www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

In this week’s episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Adam, Alexandra, and Nina come together to discuss the ongoing Serbian protests and explore the latest European Union reports on the progress of candidate countries, including those from our region. They also unpack the latest developments surrounding the Czech government formation and discuss recent updates from Poland.Later in the episode, Alexandra and Nina speak with Christopher Herwig, a photographer known for his remarkable project documenting hundreds of unique bus stops across the post-Soviet region. Christopher shares how his journey began and reflects on how these striking examples of urban architecture may represent glimpses of freedom of expression within the Soviet Union.For our Patreon supporters, Christopher stays on to delve deeper into his fascination with Soviet metro stations and the stories behind their grand, distinctive designs.Listen here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-243-143049188Check out Christopher’s books:Soviet Bus Stops 1a nd 2 and Soviet Metro Stations: https://www.herwigphoto.com/Soviet-Bus-StopsAnd his newest book on Trucks and Tuks: https://www.herwigphoto.com/Trucks-and-Tuks

In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe co-hosts Adam Reichardt and Aleksandra Karpi discuss the latest developments across the region, from Lithuania’s border closure with Belarus to new US sanctions on Russian oil giants and Hungary’s political shifts ahead of next year’s elections. They also explore a recent sabotage plot uncovered in Romania and Poland.The main interview, which was recorded recently live at the Sarajevo Security Conference, features Charles Kupchan, a professor of international affairs at Georgetown University and senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Kupchan shares his insights on the state of US foreign policy under Trump’s second term, the future of transatlantic relations and what the world can expect from America’s evolving role on the global stage. We’d like to express our appreciation to the organizers of the Sarajevo Security Conference for assisting us in making this happen. Learn more about the event here: https://sarajevosecurityconference.com/Further reading:“NATO in times of crisis. Safeguarding the future of the Euro-Atlantic Alliance” by Wojciech Michnik, https://neweasterneurope.eu/2025/09/26/nato-in-times-of-crisis-safeguarding-the-future-of-the-euro-atlantic-alliance/Check out a recent issue of New Eastern Europe dedicated tothis topic: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2025/05/06/issue-3-2025-negotiating-peace/ //Additional financing for this podcast is provided by the Polish MFA: Public task financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland within the grant competition “Public Diplomacy 2024 – 2025 - the European dimension and countering disinformation". The opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the official positions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

In this week’s episode of Talk Eastern Europe, hosts Alexandra and Adam unpack another intense week of regional developments, from Donald Trump’s surprising outreach to Vladimir Putin and the potential Budapest summit, to leaks of Polish military documents and rising Russian sabotage activity. They also touch on coalition talks in Czechia and the Georgian government’s deepening crackdown on opposition voices.Later, Adam sits down with Carlo Masala, a leading German political scientist and author of If Russia Wins, to discuss his new book imagining what might follow a Russian victory in Ukraine. Masala outlines why Europe must take the Russian threat seriously, how NATO could be tested in unexpected ways, and why helping Ukraine win is crucial for Europe’s own security.Check out the book here: https://atlanticbooks.co.uk/book/if-russia-wins/Further reading:Kremlin’s drone surge in 2025 and its hybrid threat toUkraine and Europe: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2025/10/16/kremlins-drone-surge-in-2025-and-its-hybrid-threat-to-ukraine-and-europe/Bonus episode:Watch Alexandra’s full interview with Full interview with Ivona Šimunović, a youth worker from Croatia: https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-episode-141718094/////Additional financing for this podcast is provided by the Polish MFA: Public task financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland within the grant competition “Public Diplomacy 2024 – 2025 - the European dimension and countering disinformation The opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the official positions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Nina, Adam andAlexandra start by discussing the latest news in the region, including the Hungarian spy scandal, train accident in Slovakia, Latvian minority policy, and some updates from the Western Balkans.Later, Adam is joined by Mihail Nesteriuc, a Moldovan analyst and journalist, and discuss the country’s recent parliamentaryelections, which took place on September 28th 2025. The result of the vote delivered a relatively strong victory for the pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS). Mihail describes what the results mean for Moldova’s European path, Russian interference and disinformation efforts, the complex role of Transnistria, and how these developments might reshape the region’s geopolitics.Further reading:Read a report directly from the ground in Moldova during theelections, recently published on New Eastern Europe https://neweasterneurope.eu/2025/10/10/operation-matryoshka-russias-direct-intrusion-into-moldovas-parliamentary-elections/Watch Alexandra’s full interview with Oriana IvkovićNovokmet on Croatia’s elections and lessons for digital resilience. https://www.patreon.com/posts/oriana-ivkovic-141186086Additional financing for this podcast is provided by the Polish MFA: Public task financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland within the grant competition “Public Diplomacy 2024 – 2025 - the European dimension and countering disinformation The opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the official positions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

This episode of Talk Eastern Europe is the final one in our mini-series on digital election interference our region. Alexandra reports in-person from Croatia to cover the country's "super election year" with an emphasis on the youth vote and young peoples' participation in politics and online. She speaks with Gong Executive Director Oriana Ivković Novokmet and youth workers Ivona Šimunović and Anja Kolimbatović on these topics and more. Commentary by:Oriana Ivković Novokmet, executive director of GongIvona Šimunović, youthworker Anja Kolimbatović, legal & policy strategist To watch the full-length interviews and other behind-the-scene clips, you can check out our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeResearch for this podcast episode was made possible with the support of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, DC’s Transatlantic Media Fellowship. Find out more about the Fellowship, and the Foundation’s work, here: https://us.boell.org/en/2025/05/22/2025-cohort-transatlantic-media-fellows Finally, thank you to Ana Puljić and the European Democracy Youth Network Croatia for support in selecting the participants for this episode. 

Adam and Alexandra are back from Sarajevo and give a littleinsight into their recent visit there for the Sarajevo Security Conference.They later run down the latest news stories, including updates on Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova’s parliamentary elections, Trump’s change in Ukraine policy and Slovakia’s constitutional changes. For the main interview, Nina sat down with Eva Svatoňová todiscuss the parliamentary elections in the Czech Republic on October 3-4, 2025. Eva, a sociologist specializing in social movements, culture wars, and anti-feminism, offers an overview of the current political landscape and the key issues shaping the debate, and explores why far-right parties are gaining ground. They also consider whether the country might follow the illiberal trends seen elsewhere in the region.Check out the latest issue of New Eastern Europe now online:https://neweasterneurope.eu/2025/09/27/issue-5-2025-on-shaky-ground/Join us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Nina and Alexandra kick off this episode with a summary ofthe week's news, from the violations of NATO airspace in Estonia and Denmark to US President Donald Trump's possible 180 on Ukraine. They also discuss Russia's revival of the Intervision Song Contest as its latest cultural diplomacyeffort, as well as the extradition of Moldovan oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc from Greece after several years of evading the law. Nina then speaks with Serbian political scientist Nikola Burazer of the Center for Contemporary Politics and European Western Balkans. Nikola updates listeners on the ongoing student demonstrations in Serbia, the government's increasingly harsh response, and where he thinks the situation could be headed. While protesters' demands have evolved, Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić appears to be digging in his heels. Support the podcast visit: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope