In this Nash Holos exclusive interview from 2014, Pawlina speaks with Mirko Petriw, Vancouver-based author of two spy thrillers set in Ukraine and president of the Ukrainian-Canadian Congress Vancouver branch.

Recorded during the Maidan Uprising, in the tense weeks leading up to Russia’s annexation of Crimea, this conversation delves into the intersection of energy politics, propaganda, and democratic struggle in Ukraine.

Listeners will hear about:

• Ukraine’s shale gas ambitions and what they could have meant for energy independence  

• How Russia and Gazprom sought to block Ukraine’s EU association and undermine shale gas development  

• The propaganda battles around fracking and environmental fears, echoing debates in the West  

• The political crackdown on protesters, including restrictive laws and state-directed violence against demonstrators  

• The broader struggle for sovereignty, democracy, and Ukraine’s future direction  

Petriw’s insights reveal how hopes for energy independence collided with Russian influence, Gazprom’s pressure, and authoritarian tactics during one of Ukraine’s most pivotal moments.

This interview originally aired on the Vancouver edition of Nash Holos on AM1320 CHMB on January 18, 2014.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.