Talk Eastern Europe

Talk Eastern Europe

Talk Eastern Europe is your weekly deep dive into the heart of Central and Eastern Europe. Hosted by Adam Reichardt, Alexandra Karppi, and Nina Panikova, this podcast brings you expert analysis, thought-provoking commentary, and engaging interviews on the region's most pressing issues. From the ongoing war in Ukraine to the rise of populism and the challenges of European integration, we explore the complexities of the region and the forces shaping its future. Join us as we delve into the latest news and trends, uncovering the stories that matter most to Central and Eastern Europe. Support the podcast. Join our patreon page: https://bit.ly/3nMGeYj

  1. 1 day ago

    Romania on the Brink? Plus Ukraine's EU Bid Hits New Hurdles | Weekly News Roundup

    Romania could be heading back to the polls after itsproposed government failed to win parliamentary approval, raising fears of another political crisis. Meanwhile, the European Union has officially opened the first cluster of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova – but are new obstacles already emerging? In this week's Talk Eastern Europe Weekly News Roundup, Adam Reichardt and Alexandra Karppi discuss: • Romania's government collapse and the possibility of earlyelections• NATO reducing its troop presence in Kosovo• The EU opening accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova• Hungary's surprising position on EU enlargement• Growing tensions between Poland and Ukraine over historical memory• Why President Zelenskyy skipped the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk• Our latest interview on Belarus with David Marples and Veronica Laputska 🎧 Extended discussion for our Patreon supportersAfter the regular episode, we continue with an exclusive conversation examining the growing Polish-Ukrainian memory dispute, the Volhynia massacres, domestic politics in both countries, and what this could mean for Ukraine's European future. ➡️ Join us on Patreon for the extended version:https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope 📖 Read the latest issue of New Eastern Europe:https://neweasterneurope.eu 📰 Subscribe to our newsletter, Brief Eastern Europe, to stay up to date with the region: https://www.briefeasterneurope.eu If you enjoy our reporting and analysis, please like, subscribeand leave a comment – we'd love to hear your thoughts.

    20 min
  2. 4 days ago

    Can Lukashenko Survive Without Putin? | David Marples and Veronica Laputska

    In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Adam Reichardt speaks with David Marples and Veronica Laputska, authors of the new Oxford University Press book Belarus: What Everyone Needs to Know, about the country that sits at the heart ofEurope's security. They discuss why Belarus is far more than "Russia's puppet state," how the 2020 protests permanently transformed the Belarusian society, why hundreds of thousands have fled into exile, and whether Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s regime can survive if Vladimir Putin weakens. The conversation also examines the Trump administration's renewed engagement with Lukashenka, the continued repression inside Belarus, and what a democratic future mightactually look like. GuestsDavid Marples – University of AlbertaVeronica Laputska – Political scientist and Belarus expert Check out their book: Belarus: What Everyone Needs toKnow published by Oxford University Press: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/belarus-9780197772959?cc=pl&lang=en&    Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europe magazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all major platforms. Read the New Eastern Europe Magazine  Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis. https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/ Support us on Patreon Join our community for bonus content, early access, behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time. https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope Subscribe to the Brief Eastern Europe Newsletter Weekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates, expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribe FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/

    29 min
  3. 19 Jun

    Russia Strikes Kyiv's Historic Monastery, Plus Dissident Killed in Poland | Weekly News Roundup

    Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine, damaging Kyiv's UNESCO-listed Pechersk Lavra monastery while Ukraine continues striking military infrastructure inside Russia. In this week's Talk Eastern Europe News Roundup, Adam Reichardt and Nina Panikova discuss: - Russia's latest missile attacks on Ukraine and the damage to one of the country's most important cultural landmarks.- Ukraine's growing campaign against Russian oil infrastructure and Crimea.- What came out of the G7 summit and whether diplomatic efforts could restart negotiations.- The shocking murder of Russian dissident cartoonist Robert Kuzovkov in Poland and what it says about Russia's reach inside Europe.- Why Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a historic visit to Slovakia – and what it means for Central Europe.- An update on rising tensions in Polish-Ukrainian relations. Plus: Adam previews his exclusive interview with former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt. ❓ What do you think is the biggest challenge facing Europe today? Let us know in the comments. Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europe magazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space.  ABOUT THIS PODCAST We publish twice weekly: Every Tuesday: Expert Interviews featuring deep dives with leading analysts, journalists, and scholars Every Friday: Weekly News Roundup with essential updates and commentary on the latest developments Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all major platforms.  Read the New Eastern Europe Magazine  Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis. https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/  Support us on Patreon Join our community for bonus content, early access, behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time. https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope   Subscribe to the Brief Eastern Europe Newsletter Weekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates, expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribe   FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe

    22 min
  4. 16 Jun

    "Russia Failed Strategically in Ukraine" | Carl Bildt

    Former Swedish Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Carl Bildt joins Talk Eastern Europe for a wide-ranging conversation on Ukraine, Russia, Europe's future, and the unfinished project of European enlargement. Drawing on decades of diplomatic experience – from helping launch the EU's Eastern Partnership to serving as the first High epresentative in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Bildt reflects on the biggest geopolitical shifts shaping Europe today. Why has Russia failed strategically in Ukraine despite four years of war? Did Donald Trump's negotiations strengthen Putin's hand? Can Europe fill the vacuum left by an increasingly distracted United States? And what does Ukraine's future mean for the European Union and the wider European security architecture? Tune in for this and much more! Carl Bildt also discusses the future of EU enlargement, theWestern Balkans, Moldova, and why Ukraine has become the defining "game changer" for Europe. 📍 Recorded in-person inWrocław, Poland, where Carl Bildt received the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański Award. Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europe magazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space.  ABOUT THIS PODCAST We publish twice weekly: - Every Tuesday: Expert Interviews featuring deep dives with leading analysts, journalists, and scholars - Every Friday: Weekly News Roundup with essential updates and commentary on the latest developments Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all major platforms. Read the New Eastern Europe Magazine  Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis. https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/ Support us on Patreon Join our community for bonus content, early access, behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time. https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope Subscribe to the Brief Eastern Europe Newsletter Weekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates, expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribe FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/

    21 min
  5. 12 Jun

    Huge Albania Protests, Plus Armenia Votes | Weekly News Roundup

    This week on Talk Eastern Europe, we unpack major developments shaping the future of the South Caucasus and the Western Balkans. Alexandra returns from Armenia after observing the country's consequential parliamentary elections and shares what international headlines got wrong about the vote. Was this really an "East versus West" contest? How much influence did Russia have? And why did many Armenians feel they were choosing between imperfect options? We also examine Albania's largest protests in recent memory. What began as demonstrations against a controversial tourism project, linked to the Trump family and Jared Kushner, has evolved into a broader challenge to Prime Minister Edi Rama, raising difficult questions about corruption, environmental protection, and Albania's EU aspirations. Finally, we turn to Bosnia and Herzegovina, where a dispute over the next High Representative highlights growing divisions between the United States and Europe over the region's future. In the second half of the episode, we discuss our latest Deep Dive interview on Montenegro's troubled path toward EU membership and ask whether the country's 2028 accession ambitions remain realistic. Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europe magazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space.   ABOUT THIS PODCAST We publish twice weekly. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all major platforms.  Read the New Eastern Europe Magazine  Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-formanalysis. https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/   Support us on Patreon Join our community for bonus content, early access, behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time. https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope   Subscribe to the Brief Eastern Europe Newsletter Weekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates, expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribe   FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/

    23 min
  6. 9 Jun

    Is Montenegro Really Ready for the EU? | Danilo Kalezić

    Montenegro has long been described as the frontrunner in the European Union's enlargement process. The government insists the country can join the EU by 2028. But how realistic is that timeline? In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Alexandra Karppisits down with political analyst Danilo Kalezić from the University of Montenegro to unpack the country's complex political reality. They discuss the growing gap between Brussels' optimism and developments on the ground, the influence of Serbia and Russia, tensions with Croatia, and whether Montenegro risks becoming another source ofinstability inside the EU itself. Can Montenegro truly become the next EU member state, or is the enlargement narrative masking deeper democratic and geopolitical challenges? Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europe magazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space. ABOUT THIS PODCAST We publish twice weekly: - Every Tuesday: Expert Interviews featuring deep dives with leading analysts, journalists, and scholars - Every Friday: Weekly News Roundup with essential updates and commentary on the latest developments Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all major platforms. Read the New Eastern Europe Magazine  Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis. https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/ Support us on Patreon Join our community for bonus content, early access, behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time. https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope Subscribe to the Brief Eastern Europe Newsletter Weekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates, expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribe FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/

    25 min
  7. 5 Jun

    Russia Escalates and Poland-Ukraine Tensions Rise | Weekly News Roundup

    Russia has launched another massive wave of attacks againstUkraine, raising concerns about Kyiv's air defence capabilities and the future trajectory of the war. Meanwhile, reports of a Russian drone striking a residential building in Romania have intensified fears that the conflict is increasingly spilling into NATO territory. In this week's Talk Eastern Europe News Roundup, Adam and Nina also discuss warnings that Belarus could be drawn deeper into Russia's war, growing pressure on Alyaksandr Lukashenka, and the latest diplomatic dispute between Poland and Ukraine over President Volodymyr Zelenskyy'sdecision to honour a military unit with the title "Heroes of theUPA". Plus: Christian Schmidt's departure from Bosnia and Herzegovina, concerns about US pressure in the Western Balkans, and a preview of our latest Deep Dive on Czech politics under Andrej Babiš. Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europe magazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space.   ABOUT THIS PODCAST We publish twice weekly:  - Every Tuesday: Expert Interviews featuringdeep dives with leading analysts, journalists, and scholars - Every Friday: Weekly News Roundup with essential updates and commentary on the latest developments Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all major platforms. Read the New Eastern Europe Magazine  Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-formanalysis. Become a member: https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/ Support us on Patreon Join our community for bonus content, earlyaccess, behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope Subscribe to the Brief Eastern Europe Newsletter Weekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates, expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribe FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/

    22 min
  8. 2 Jun

    Chaos in Czechia: Babiš's First 100 Days | Pavel Havlíček

    What has changed in Czechia since Andrej Babiš returned topower? More than 100 days into the new government, concerns are growing over democratic backsliding, attacks on public media, proposed foreign agent legislation and a sharp shift in support for Ukraine. In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Alexandra Karppi and Nina Pániková speak with Pavel Havlíček, Research Fellow at the Association for International Affairs (AMO) in Prague, about the state of Czech politics, tensions between Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and President Petr Pavel, and whether Czechia is following a path similar to neighbouring Slovakia. 🎧 Topics discussed:The first 100 days of the Babiš governmentDemocratic backsliding and proposed foreign agent legislationAttacks on public media and civil societyThe future of Czech support for UkraineBabiš's conflict of interest controversyGrowing tensions between the prime minister and presidentMunicipal and Senate elections later this year Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europe magazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis andexpert perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space.   ABOUT THIS PODCAST We publish twice weekly: - Every Tuesday: Expert Interviews featuring deep dives with leading analysts, journalists, and scholars - Every Friday: Weekly News Roundup with essential updates and commentary on the latest developments   Read the New Eastern EuropeMagazine  Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis. https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/   Support on Patreon Join our community for bonus content, early access, behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time. https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope Subscribe to the Brief Eastern EuropeNewsletter Weekly briefing sent out every Mondaywith news updates, expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox. https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribe FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/

    27 min

About

Talk Eastern Europe is your weekly deep dive into the heart of Central and Eastern Europe. Hosted by Adam Reichardt, Alexandra Karppi, and Nina Panikova, this podcast brings you expert analysis, thought-provoking commentary, and engaging interviews on the region's most pressing issues. From the ongoing war in Ukraine to the rise of populism and the challenges of European integration, we explore the complexities of the region and the forces shaping its future. Join us as we delve into the latest news and trends, uncovering the stories that matter most to Central and Eastern Europe. Support the podcast. Join our patreon page: https://bit.ly/3nMGeYj

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