Talk Eastern Europe
Talk Eastern Europe is a weekly podcast that provides in-depth analysis and commentary on Central and Eastern Europe. Hosted by Adam Reichardt, Alexandra Karppi, and Nina Panikova, it covers pressing issues such as the war in Ukraine, populism, and European integration. The show features expert interviews and explores the complexities of the region.
Episodes
Snap Elections in Serbia: What Happens Next? | Weekly News Roundup
Serbia is heading towards snap elections after President Aleksandar Vučić announced he will resign within weeks, but will this lead to real political change or simply reinforce the ruling party's grip on power?In this week's Talk Eastern Europe News Roundup, AlexandraKarppi and Nina Pániková unpack the latest developments in Serbia, including growing pressure on civil society, the renewed
The Untold Story Behind Serbia's Student Revolution | Nikola Ristić
The Serbian protest movement has captured internationalattention—but how did it really begin?In this first episode of a special two-part Talk Eastern Europe series, we speak with Serbian civil rights and environmental activist Nikola Ristić, who was among the first activists to organize after the deadly collapse of the Novi Sad railway station canopy in November 2024.Nikola shares his extraordinar
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 Alexan
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 soc
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.- U
"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
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 di
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 disc
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 a
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
Ukraine Under Massive Attack as EU Enlargement Faces Questions | Weekly News Roundup
Russia launched one of its largest attacks on Ukraine in recent months, including the reported use of the nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile. Meanwhile, questions are growing about the future of EU enlargement after reports of a possible "associate membership" model for Ukraine. Alexandra Karppi and Adam Reichardt break down the latestdevelopments from across Eastern Europe, including poli
Kazakhstan’s Quiet Power Shift | Paolo Sorbello
Is Kazakhstan entering a new political era or consolidating authoritarian rule under President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev?In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe’s Deep Dive, Alexandra Karppi speaks with journalist and researcher Paolo Sorbello about Kazakhstan’s controversial constitutional referendum and what it could mean for the country’s future.The discussion explores the restructuring of parliamen
Russia Escalates, Baltic Alerts & Hungary’s New PM | Weekly News Roundup
This week on Talk Eastern Europe, Adam and Nina discuss growing fears of escalation as drones cross into NATO territory, Lithuania issues emergency shelter alerts, and Russia deepens ties with China during Vladimir Putin’s visit to Beijing. They also unpack the political implications of Hungary’s new Prime Minister Péter Magyar, the possible revival of the Visegrad Group, and Russia’s latest move
Warsaw: The City Rebuilt from Ruins | Owen Hatherley
Why does Warsaw look so different from every other European capital? In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Nina Panikova speaks with British writer and journalist Owen Hatherley about the dramatic history that shaped Poland’s capital – from wartime destruction and communist-era rebuilding to modern skyscrapers and experimental urban planning.They discuss Warsaw’s modernist housing estates, socia
Putin’s Parade, Bosnia Uncertainty, & Surprise Referenda | Weekly News Roundup
This week on Talk Eastern Europe, Adam, Nina and Alexandra discuss major developments across the region: Christian Schmidt’s decision to step down as High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia’s scaled-down Victory Day parade, renewed talk of negotiations with Moscow, referendum politics in Slovakia and Poland, and possible snap elections in Serbia.For the extended version of the news r
The Baltic Divide? Russian Speakers after Ukraine | Ieva Birka
How has Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine reshaped theidentity and political outlook of Russian-speaking communities in the Baltic states?In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Alexandra Karppi speaks with Ieva Birka from the University of Latvia in Riga about new research on Russian speakers in Latvia and Estonia, the growing security concerns facing the region, and the challenges of socia
Romania’s Government Falls, Armenia Turns West & Kosovo Heads to Elections | Weekly News Roundup
This week, Alexandra and Nina unpack the latest political upheaval across Central and Eastern Europe from Romania’s government collapse and Kosovo’s latest election drama to Armenia’s growing European ambitions and what it all means for the region’s future.Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europe magazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Cent
Russia’s Internet Crackdowns, War Economy and Victory Day | Mark Galeotti
In this Talk Eastern Europe Deep Dive, Adam Reichardt and Nina Panikova speak with renowned Russia analyst Mark Galeotti about what is happening inside Russia today and what it means for Ukraine, Europe, and the wider global order.The conversation explores the Kremlin’s tightening control over the internet, disruptions to platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp, and the political struggle behind Russ
Belarus Prisoner Swap, Romania Political Crisis & Moldova Oligarch Jailed | Weekly News Roundup
This week’s Talk Eastern Europe new roundup covers a major Belarus prisoner exchange, growing political instability in Romania, and a landmark corruption verdict in Moldova – plus developments in Bulgaria and rising tensions in Kosovo.Adam Reichardt and Alexandra Karppi break down the biggest stories shaping the region and explain why they matter.In this episode:– Belarus releases journalist Andrz
Belarus Resistance Through Music | Sasha from Volny Chor
How did a choir become one of the symbols of the 2020 Belarus protests? In this Talk Eastern Europe Deep Dive interview, Nina Panikova speaks with Sasha from Volny Chor, the Belarusian choir that emerged after the stolen election and mass demonstrations against Alyaksandr Lukashenka.Volny Chor became famous for surprise public performances of Belarusian freedom songs in Minsk, singing in shopping
Bulgarian Politics, Fico’s Moscow Trip & Slovenia’s Turmoil | News Roundup
Help us reach our goal of 75 patrons – sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeThis week on Talk Eastern Europe, we look at major politicaldevelopments across the region. Bulgaria’s latest snap election may mark the end of years of instability, but what does Rumen Radev’s victory mean for domestic reform, relations with the EU, and support for Ukraine?We also discuss French Presiden
Hungary After Orbán: What Magyar’s Victory Means for Europe | Zsuzsanna Vegh
Hungary has entered a new political era. After 16 years ofViktor Orbán’s rule, Péter Magyar and the TISZA party have secured a sweeping election victory, reportedly with a two-thirds majority. What happens next?In this Deep Dive episode of Talk Eastern Europe, host Alexandra Karppi speaks with Zsuzsanna Vegh, an expert on Central Europe and democratic resilience from the German Marshall Fund. They
Hungary Fallout, Moldova Turns West, Russia Crackdown | Weekly News Roundup
Help us reach our goal of 75 Patrons. Join us here: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeThis week on Talk Eastern Europe, Alexandra and Nina unpack the regional ripple effects following Hungary’s elections and what they could mean for politics across Central and Eastern Europe.They also discuss a high-profile visit by Donald Trump Jr. in the Balkans as well as the latest from Moldova, includi
Music, Freedom & Politics - Inside Slovakia’s Pohoda Festival | Michal Kaščák
Support our work! Join our patron community: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeWhat is the story behind Slovakia’s most famous musicfestival? In this episode, Nina speaks with Michal Kaščák, founder of Pohoda Festival, about 30 years of music, freedom, and politics in Slovakia.The conversation explores how Pohoda began in the 1990s during the Mečiar era, why the festival became a symbol of
Viktor Orbán Defeated After 16 Years | TEE Quick Take
Hungarian voters have delivered a political earthquake. After 16 years in power, Viktor Orbán has been defeated, marking a historic turning point not just for Hungary, but for all of Central and Eastern Europe.In this special quick take episode of Talk Eastern Europe, we break down the key takeaways from the election results, including how Péter Magyar secured a constitutional majority and why vot
Orbán’s Big Test and Bulgaria’s Warning | Weekly News Roundup
Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeSign up for the Brief Eastern Europe Weekly Newsletter! https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribeIn this week’s Talk Eastern Europe news roundup, Adam Reichardt, Alexandra Karppi and Nina Panikova break down the latest stories shaping Central and Eastern Europe.We discuss the rising stakes ahead of Bulgaria’s snap parliamentary
Poland Between Politics and Security | Mateusz Mazzini
Help us grow! Support us: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope More than halfway through Donald Tusk’s term, Poland is entering a crucial political moment. The governing coalition is under pressure to deliver on its promises while navigating institutional gridlock, deep political polarization, and a rapidly changing international security environment.In this week’s Talk Eastern Europe intervi
US Tensions, NATO Risks & Serbia Elections | Weekly news roundup
In this week’s Talk Eastern Europe news roundup, Adam Reichardt, Alexandra Karppi, and Nina Panikova break down the latest developments across the region.We start with Ukraine, where growing tensions with the United States over potential peace conditions raise serious questions about future security guarantees and military support. With the war in the Middle East reshaping global priorities, the e
Are anti-corruption protests in Albania genuine? | Gresa Hasa
Albania is often presented as a success story in the Western Balkans, especially on its path to the EU. But what’s really happening beneath the surface?In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, we dive into Albania’s evolving political landscape with researcher Gresa Hasa from the University of Graz.Following a landslide victory by Edi Rama’s Socialist Party, Albania is entering a new phase, one mar
Mass Protests in Prague and Spy Leak Allegations in Hungary | Weekly News Roundup
Talk Eastern Europe is a patron-supported podcast – please support us by becoming a patron here: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeIn this week’s Talk Eastern Europe news round-up, hosts Adam Reichardt and Alexandra Karppi unpack major political developments across Central and Eastern Europe – from the high-stakes election dynamics in Hungary to massive anti-government protests in Prague an
Epstein Files: Inside the Slovakia Connection | Karin Kőváry Sólymos
What do the Jeffrey Epstein files reveal about Slovakia? Inthis episode of Talk Eastern Europe, investigative journalist Karin Kőváry Sólymos joins us to unpack the surprising links between Epstein and former Slovak foreign minister Miroslav Lajčák. We discuss what the documents show, why the story matters, and how the revelations shook Slovak politics. Read Karin’s investigation in VSquare: https
Hungary election, Poland politics, Serbia judicial purge | Weekly news roundup
In this week’s episode of our new Talk Eastern Europe Weekly News Roundup, Adam Reichardt and Alexandra Karppi break down the biggest developments from across Central and Eastern Europe.This week’s topics include:Hungary’s high-stakes parliamentary electionPoland’s defence bill veto and rising political tensionsSerbia’s controversial judicial changesGeorgia’s embattled oppositionWe also introduce
Iran war fallout: oil, sanctions and Moscow | Marek Menkiszak
How does the war in Iran affect Europe’s security and Russia’s war against Ukraine? In this inaugural video episode of TalkEastern Europe, Adam Reichardt speaks with Marek Menkiszak, Head of the Russia Department at the Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW) in Warsaw.They discuss how the Middle East conflict is reshaping global attention, influencing energy markets and sanctions policy, and potentially
Ukraine: four years of resistance. Part 3: journalism in times of war
In episode 257 of Talk Eastern Europe, Adam and Alexandrareact to the breakout of war in the Middle East and what it might mean from the regional aspect. They look specifically at relations with Russia, the war in Ukraine and also the South Caucasus, which borders the conflict zone. They also catch on the situation in Albania and discuss Hungary’s latest tactics ahead of the elections in April.For
Ukraine: four years of resistance. Part 2: Negotiations and occupation
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
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 an
Episode 254: Can Pashinyan hold on? Armenia’s election test
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
Episode 253: Repression deepens in Georgia
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 univers
Episode 252: Mass protests and a new shift in Bulgaria?
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 mai
Episode 251: Geopolitics and Eastern Europe in 2026. A wild ride?
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 peac
Episode 250: Security and stability in the Western Balkans
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 i
Episode 249: Book Talk - How Central European émigrés transformed the British 20th century
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 p
Episode 248: A year of resistance in Georgia
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 endi
Episode 247: When music defies power. The case of Belarus
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
Episode 246: A History of (post-)Yugoslav Pop Music: shifting borders, shifting identities
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 to
Episode 245: Kyrgyzstan heads to snap elections
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 Be
Episode 244: Tensions and politics rock Slovenia
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
Episode 243: The curious case of Soviet bus stops
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
Episode 242: The end of Pax Americana and what comes next
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 rec
Episode 241: Book Talk - Carlo Masala on If Russia Wins
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 opposi
Episode 240: Inside Moldova’s elections: What comes next?
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 o
Episode 239: Live from Zagreb. Digital threats after Croatia's "super election year"
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
Episode 238: Czech democracy put to the test
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 th
Episode 237: Serbian students brace for a tough autumn
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 seve
Episode 236: Tirana: A better city for all?
In this episode, Adam and Nina review the week’s key developments, including the Zapad 2025 military exercises between Russia and Belarus, protests in Slovakia, a Russian drone incursion into Poland and Romania, and the latest updates from Romania and Georgia.Following the news, Nina speaks with Ray Koçi, an advisor to the Mayor of Tirana on inclusive planning and coordinator of the Tirana School
Episode 235: Behind the peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan
In this episode, Alexandra and Adam start off with some discussion on the news, including concerns over the upcoming Russia/Belarus Zapad 2025 military exercises, Slovakia’s Robert Fico and his meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ukraine, and upcoming elections in Moldova.Later, Adam and Nina are joined by Thomas de Waal, a senior fellow with Carnegie Europe and expert on the South Caucasus. They
Episode 234: Trump’s quest for peace in Ukraine
Talk Eastern Europe is back from its August break! In this episode, Adam, Alexandra and Nina run through some of the bigger stories from the region, including developments in the Balkans, Poland, the EU, and look at the global implications of China’s victory celebrations this week.After the news, Adam and Nina are joined by Pavel Havlíček, research fellow at the Prague-based Association for Intern
Episode 233: Ukrainians protest anti-corruption crackdown
In this episode, Adam and Alexandra start by discussing the latest news including fears of interference in Moldova’s upcoming elections, the upcoming inauguration Poland’s new president as well as some worrisome security breaches in the Baltics.For the main interview, Adam sits down with Kyiv-based journalist Aleksander Palikot to discuss the recent political crisis surrounding Ukraine’s anti-cor
Episode 232: Book talk: The history of queer life in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Episode 232: Book talk: The history of queer life in Bosnia and HerzegovinaIn this episode, Adam and Nina cover several key developments from the region, including the latest from Ukraine, breaking news from Moldova, far-right marches across Poland, and the EU’s adoption of its 18th package of sanctions against Russia. Later in the episode, Alexandra and Nina are joined by Matej Vrebac, Programme
Episode 231: Live from Sofia: Bulgaria’s perpetual election cycle leaves citizens exposed to radical politics and Russian propaganda
In this special edition of Talk Eastern Europe, Alexandra reports in-person from Sofia for a deep dive into disinformation and digital interference in Bulgaria during the last several years of perpetual election campaigning. She speaks with experts Angel Petrov, Gloria Trifonova, and Petko Petkov on Bulgaria’s political landscape, local and Russian backed disinformation, the rise of far-right poli
Episode 230: A camera in the war room
In this episode, Alexandra and Nina discuss the blockades across Serbia, the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, Russia’s largest air assault on Ukraine to date, and reflect on the conclusion of Poland’s EU presidency.Later in the episode, Nina speaks with Norwegian documentary filmmaker Tommy Gulliksen about his latest documentary, Facing War. The documentary follows NATO Secretary Gener
Episode 229: Film talk – Black Snow
Episode 229: Film talk – Black SnowIn this episode, Adam and Nina catch up on the latest news, including a discussion on the outcomes of the historic NATO Summit in The Hague, highlights of the Pride in Budapest, recent clashes and arrests during protests in Serbia and ongoing protests in Georgia. Later in the episode, Nina speaks with Alina Simone, a Ukrainian-American journalist and filmmaker wh
Episode 228: Protests in Georgia surpass 200 days
In this episode Adam and Alexandra open with some discussion on the latest news, including the release of 14 political prisoners in Belarus, repressions taking place in Azerbaijan, Romania and Georgia. For the main deep dive, Alexandra and Nina continue on the Georgian theme by speaking with Teona Macharashvili, co-founder and board member of Caucasus Open Space, and a committed pro-democracy acti
Episode 227: Ukraine’s cultural heritage under fire
In this episode, Alexandra and Nina discuss recent developments across Central and Eastern Europe, including the latest charges in North Macedonia following the tragic nightclub fire in Kočani, ongoing protests in Serbia, and a vote of no confidence in the Czech Republic.The main interview features Daryna Pidhorna, Senior Lawyer at the Regional Centre for Human Rights. Daryna explores how Russia&#
Episode 226: Poland after presidential elections
In this special episode, Nina, Alexandra and Adam host a special episode recorded live with the Patrons of Talk Eastern Europe. They start with a discussion on recent news developments, including Ukraine’s Operation Spider Web, Bulgaria joining the Eurozone, and the latest on repressions in Georgia. During the main episode, Adam is put in the hot-seat with Alexandra and Nina asking about the recen
Episode 225: Live from Bucharest: Romanian democracy is being pushed to its limits
In this special edition of Talk Eastern Europe, Alexandra reports in-person from Romania for a deep dive into the recent presidential elections. She speaks with experts Laura Stefan, Diana Filimon, and Vlad Barleanu about what happened in these dramatic elections, the allegations of digital interference from Russia, how the public responded, and what it all means for Romanian democracy. Commentary
Episode 224: Why the Caspian Sea matters
In this episode Adam and Alexandra catch up on the latest news, with a discussion on the upcoming presidential election in Poland, current developments in Hungary and what is the status of the peace process in Russia’s war against Ukraine.During the deep dive, Adam sits down with journalist Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska to discuss issues in Central Asia in particular the situation surrounding the
Episode 223: Disability inclusion in Uzbekistan: a blind spot for funders in Central Asia
Nina and Alexandra celebrate some positive news from the Romanian and Polish elections over the weekend before updating listeners on US-brokered negotiations with Russia and Ukraine. They also discuss revelations of forgery in a shady business dealing involving Trump's son-in-law in Serbia and new efforts by the ruling party to undermine the opposition in Georgia. Alexandra then interviews Dil
Episode 222: Film talk – “Streets Loud with Echoes”. Activism and repression in Kazakhstan
In this episode, Alexandra and Adam start with updates from Ukraine and efforts to bring about a ceasefire. Meanwhile, a Polish investigation has found that a fire last year which burned down a huge shopping center in Warsaw was ordered by Russian intelligence while the country gets ready to vote in the presidential election on May 18th. Finally, Alexandra discusses the results of the recent Alban
Episode 221: A dangerous standoff in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Nina and Alexandra open this episode with a discussion of the first round of the much-awaited presidential election in Romania, in which the far-right candidate George Simion blew away the competition. They then talk about Russia's commemoration of Victory in Europe Day taking place on May 9th, including the various guests from our region who plan to attend. Finally, Alexandra provides updates
Episode 220: On the changing geopolitics with David Criekemans
In this episode, Adam and Alexandra open with a discussion of the latest news, including Ukraine and the status of the Trump negotiations; the deteriorating situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina; developments in Kosovo; and the preparations for presidential elections in Romania. Later, Adam is joined by David Criekemans, an Associate Professor in International Relations at the University of Antwerp
Episode 219: Human rights continue to deteriorate in Crimea
Adam, Alexandra, and Nina return after a short break to discuss the latest developments in the region. Topics include the situation in Ukraine, the introduction of a controversial "Russian-style" law targeting NGOs in Slovakia, the formation of a new government and prime minister in Serbia, and recent developments surrounding the presidential elections in Romania. In the main interview,
Episode 218: A new government responds to deadly corruption in North Macedonia
Adam, Nina, and Alexandra are finally back together to discuss some news from the region. They cover the latest military draft in Russia, ongoing strikes in Ukraine, Hungary's decision to pull out of the International Criminal Court, and Adam gives his perspective on developments on the Polish-Belarusian border. For the deep dive, Alexandra speaks with Ognen Vangelov, Assistant Professor at Un
Episode 217: EU enlargement is getting hijacked
To start of the episode, Adam and Alexandra talk about the prospect of foreign troop deployment in Ukraine, a historic border agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, a further crackdown against opposition in Georgia, and the fleeing of Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik to Moscow. Alexandra is then joined by policy analyst Alejandro Esteso Pérez, who specializes in the Western Balkans, EU enla
Episode 216: The fight for a free Belarus continues
Nina and Alexandra open the episode by discussing the ongoing negotiations in Riyadh between the US, Russia and Ukraine and providing an overdue update on the deteriorating situation for civil society and media in Georgia. They then talk about a potential final agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the assault of a journalist in Serbia.For the main interview, Nina and Alexandra spoke with L
Episode 215: Why Putin doesn’t want peace
In this episode, Adam and Alexandra start by discussing the latest news from the region – including the fallout from the tragic fire which killed 59 people in North Macedonia as well as the massive protests which took place in Belgrade over the weekend. They also look at developments in Hungary as the opposition leader appears to be gaining momentum, while the government outlaws Budapest Pride. La
Episode 214: Scapegoating civil society in Central and Eastern Europe
In this episode, Adam and Nina kick off with the latest headlines, including Ukraine’s ceasefire deal in exchange for renewed US military and intelligence aid, plus a NATO military chiefs’ meeting in Paris. They also break down what’s happening in Romania, the online clash between Poland’s Foreign Minister and Elon Musk, and wrap up with updates from Azerbaijan. Later, Alexandra and Nina chat with
Episode 213: Book talk: Europe without borders: A history
Nina and Alexandra open this episode with a discussion on the latest news, including the fallout from last week’s oval office meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They also briefly touch on the political situation in Romania, Serbia as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the conviction of Milorad Dodik which is being challenged by Republika Srbska. Later, Adam is joined by Isaac Stanley-Becker,
Episode 212: Three years since the invasion: Ukrainian perseverance and global shifts
This special episode marks the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The three co-hosts are joined by a group of Talk Eastern Europe patrons and Iryna Krasnoshtan, an analyst and foreign policy expert from the International Center for Ukrainian Victory. Together, they reflect on how three years of war have reshaped life in Ukraine, discussing the tensions between the US and
Episode 211: Evolution of East European Cinema
In this episode, the three co-hosts discuss key takeaways from the Munich Security Conference and a historic meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. They also touch on the anniversary of Alexei Navalny’s death, Serbia’s Statehood Day, developments in Georgia, and promising news from North Macedonia.Later, Nina speaks w
