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Reports suggesting Russia may be planning a limited attack against Poland have sparked intense debate ahead of the NATO Summit. This week, Adam and Alexandra are in Sofia, Bulgaria, where they unpack the intelligence reports, discuss what they could mean for NATO deterrence, and examine thewider implications for European security.
They also look at the sudden collapse of Moldova's government, what it means for the country's EU ambitions, and the growing anti-government protests in Albania, where demonstrators are now openly demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation.
Finally, reporting from Sofia, Adam and Alexandra shareobservations from discussions on European security, disinformation, and the country's changing political landscape.
In this episode:
Reports of a possible Russian attack scenario involvingPoland
What to expect from the NATO Summit
Ukraine's air defence challenges
Moldova's political crisis and EU accession
Albania's growing anti-government protests
Bulgaria's political direction after joining the Eurozone
European security, public trust and disinformation
Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europemagazine - 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 majorplatforms.
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
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In this second part of our special two-part series on Serbia's protest movement, we speak with Mila Pajić, activist with STAV (Students Against Authoritarian Rule) and the Youth Initiative for Human Rights, about the movement that emerged after the deadly Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse.
Mila explains how a tragedy became a nationwide movement, why students became the driving force behind the protests, and how government pressure escalated from intimidation to criminal charges against activists.
After authorities accused her and several colleagues of attempting to overthrow the constitutional order, Mila fled Serbia and now remains in exile.
In this conversation we discuss:
- What happened after the Novi Sad tragedy
- Why the student movement became so powerful
- Government repression against activists
- Life in political exile
- The future of democracy in Serbia
- Whether snap elections can be free and fair
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 withleading analysts, journalists, and scholars
- Every Friday: Weekly News Roundup with essential updatesand commentary on the latest developments
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all majorplatforms.
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
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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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 investigation into the alleged use of a sonic weapon against protesters, and what early elections could mean for the country's democratic future.
They also discuss Ukraine's newly announced pressure campaign against Russia, constitutional tensions ahead of the NATO summit in the Czech Republic, growing concerns over democratic backsliding in Slovenia, and one piece of encouraging news from Hungary as the controversial Sovereignty Protection Office is finally dismantled.
🎧 In the extended Patreon edition, Alexandra shares her reflections from the FIFA Club World Cup and discusses what football reveals about politics, identity and memory in the Balkans.
👉 Support the podcast and access bonus episodes: https://patreon.com/talkeasterneurope
Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europemagazine - 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 majorplatforms.
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/
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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 extraordinary personal story, from being detained by Serbia's security services and having spyware installed on his phone to witnessing the birth of the Red Hand symbol and the rise of the student movement that continues to shape Serbian politics today.
We also discuss:
• What happened in the days following the Novi Sad tragedy
• Why young people became the driving force behind theprotests
• State surveillance, intimidation and digital repression
• The student movement's political future
• Expo 2027 and corruption in Serbia
• Whether Serbia is approaching political change
This interview was recorded in early June 2026, before President Aleksandar Vučić announced his intention to resign. The conversation provides important context for understanding the protest movement that has transformed Serbian politics.
➡️ This is Part One of our special mini-series on Serbia. In the next episode, we speak with a Serbian activist now living in exile after being forced to leave the country.
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.
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
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/
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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 supporters
After 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.
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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.
Guests
David Marples – University of Alberta
Veronica Laputska – Political scientist and Belarus expertCheck 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/
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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
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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/
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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/
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/
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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/
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/
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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
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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 government
Democratic backsliding and proposed foreign agent legislation
Attacks on public media and civil society
The future of Czech support for Ukraine
Babiš's conflict of interest controversy
Growing tensions between the prime minister and president
Municipal and Senate elections later this yearTalk 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
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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 political changes in Slovenia and a dramatic mayoral recall vote in Kraków.
In the extended version – for Patrons only - Adam andAlexandra discuss Serbian President Aleksandra Vučić’s visit to China and Serbian-China relations.
-> Watch the extended version here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/ukraine-under-as-159536786
👍 Like, subscribe and leave a comment with your thoughts!
Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europemagazine - 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 withleading analysts, journalists, and scholars
- Every Friday: Weekly News Roundup with essential updatesand commentary on the latest developments
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all majorplatforms.
Read the New Eastern Europe Magazine
Our bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis.https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/
Support TEE 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 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
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/
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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 parliament, the return of the vice presidency, concerns over centralization of power, restrictions on civil society and media, and the broader geopolitical balancing act between Russia, China, Europe and the United States.
Paolo Sorbello is the English-language editor at Vlast.kz and has covered Central Asia for nearly two decades.
ABOUT THIS PODCAST
We publish twice weekly:
- Every Tuesday: Expert Interviews featuring deep dives withleading analysts, journalists, and scholars
- Every Friday: Weekly News Roundup with essential updatesand commentary on the latest developments
Read the New Eastern Europe Magazine
Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis. →Become a member: 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. → Join the Talk Eastern Europe community: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope
Brief Eastern Europe Newsletter
Weekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates,expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox. → Subscribe: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribe
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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 inTransnistria.
For our patrons, Adam and Nina look closer at the latest developments in Transnistria and interpret what it might mean for the near future.
Want to listen to the full version of this episode? Become apatron: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope
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 Europe Magazine
Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis.
→ Become a member: 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.
→ Join the Talk Eastern Europe community: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope
Sign up for the Brief Eastern Europe Newsletter
Weekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates, expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox. →Subscribe: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribe
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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, socialistrealist architecture, the iconic Palace of Culture and Science, and why the city remains one of Europe’s most misunderstood capitals. Is Warsaw chaotic, visionary, unfinished – or all three at once?
If you’re interested in architecture, urban history, Central Europe, communism, post-socialist transformation, or the future of European cities, this episode is for you.
Places in Warsaw (and beyond) mentioned in the interview:
Żoliborz, one of the northern districts of Warsaw.
Narkomfin building, a block of 25 flats known for its constructivist architecture in Moscow, Russia.
Praga, a district of Warsaw, Poland. It is on the east bank of the river Vistula
Constitution Square, a monumental urban square in Warsaw built in the 1950s as a flagship project of socialist realism.
Muranów, a special area in Warsaw’s history located adjacent to the Wola and Śródmieście districts. Most of it was incorporated into the Warsaw Ghetto during the Second World War.
Palace of Culture and Science, a notable high-rise building in central Warsaw, Poland. With a total height of 237 meters, it is the second-tallest building in both Warsaw and Poland
Nowy Świat (New World Street), one of Warsaw’s most famous and vibrant historic streets.
New Belgrade (Novi Beograd) is the largest and most modern district of Belgrade, Serbia
Central Department Store, ‘Smyk’, a modernist building in Warsaw.
Koło Housing Estate of the architects Szymon and Helena Syrkus.
Sady Żoliborskie, a celebrated modernist housing estate and sub-district in northern Warsaw.
Palace of the Soviets, was a project to construct a politicalconvention centre in Moscow on the site of the demolished Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. It was never built.
The Palace of Parliament ( previously People's House ), the seat of the Romanian parliament and the heaviest building in the world.
Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from NewEastern 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 YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts andall major platforms.
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New Eastern Europe Magazine
Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-formanalysis. → Become a member: https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/
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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. → Join the Talk Eastern Europe community: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope
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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 roundup (for patrons only), Adam dives deeper in the scandal surrounding Poland’s ex-minister of justice, Zbigniew Ziobro, providing context and details on the case of his escape to the United States.
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.
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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 social cohesion in an era of hybrid threats and geopolitical tension.
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.
→ Join the Talk Eastern Europe community: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope
Check out the New Eastern Europe Magazine
Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis.
→ Become a member: https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/
Free Articles
Read our latest analysis at neweasterneurope.eu
Sign up for the Brief Eastern Europe Newsletter
Weekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates, expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox. → Subscribe: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribe
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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 Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space. We publish two episodes per week:
- Every Tuesday: Expert Interviews featuring deep dives withleading analysts, journalists, and scholars
- Every Friday: Weekly News Roundup with essential updatesand commentary on the latest developments
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all majorplatforms. Help us reach our goal of 75 Patrons! Support us on Patreon for bonus content, extended news roundups, and early access: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope
Topics covered: Romania, Armenia, Slovakia, Ukraine,Kosovo, Russia, Western Balkans, EU enlargement, rule of law, media freedom, Central and Eastern Europe.
Check out the New Eastern Europe products:
New Eastern Europe Magazine
Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis. Starting at 35 EUR per year! → Become a member: 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. → Join the Talk Eastern Europe community: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope
Brief Eastern Europe Newsletter
Weekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates, expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox. → Subscribe: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribe
Free Articles
Read our latest analysis at neweasterneurope.eu
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/NewEastEurope
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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 Russia’s so-called “sovereign internet.” Galeotti explains how these measures are not only about security, but also about power inside the Russian system — and why they may be alienating new parts of Russian society.
The discussion also looks at the state of the Russian economy, the impact of Western sanctions, Russia’s evolving relationships with Iran and North Korea, and how Vladimir Putin is trying to position Russia in an increasingly fragmented world. Galeotti also reflects on Donald Trump, Europe’s internal divisions, Hungary after Viktor Orbán, and the risks posed by future elections in France and elsewhere.
Finally, the episode turns to Russia’s May 9th Victory Day narrative and what it reveals about Putin’s weakened social contract with Russian citizens.
Topics covered in this episode:
00:00 Introduction
03:00 Russia’s internet restrictions and “sovereign internet”
08:45 Public discontent and protest potential inside Russia
16:15 Is the Russian economy really faltering?
20:00 Western sanctions and their real impact
22:30 Russia, Iran, North Korea and the global order
27:00 Trump, Putin and the future of US-Russia relations
29:00 Hungary, Europe and Russia’s influence in the EU
34:30 Victory Day, propaganda and Putin’s wartime narrativeGuest:
Mark Galeotti is a historian, Russia analyst, director of Mayak Intelligence, honorary professor at UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies, and host of In Moscow’s Shadows.—
Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from the 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 YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.
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.
→ Join the Talk Eastern Europe community: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope
New Eastern Europe Magazine
Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis.
→ Become a member: https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/
Brief Eastern Europe Newsletter
Weekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates, expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox.
→ Subscribe: 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/
- Visa fler
