Talk Eastern Europe

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 elections, including concerns over Russian interference, disinformation, and the political role of Rumen Radev. The conversation then turns to Hungary, where the team dissects the dramatic final stretch before the election, from the alleged pipeline sabotage plot and Viktor Orbán’s campaign tactics to high-profile backing from theUnited States, including J.D. Vance’s visit.The episode also highlights this week’s deep-dive interviewon Poland, covering polarization, security, relations with the US and EU, and the growing influence of the far right. For the Deep Dive on Poland – watch it here: https://youtu.be/1mDT4EJep2k?si=Xg8Qlt__fOJMiUntTo close, the hosts reflect on a striking contrast in theregion: violent developments in Serbia alongside football euphoria in Bosnia and Herzegovina after a major World Cup qualifier upset.Subscribe to Talk Eastern Europe and join the conversation in the comments.Check out our previous episode on Romania and foreigninterference: https://talkeasterneurope.eu/episodes/episode-208-foreign-interference-in-europe-and-the-case-of-romaniaRead even more on Orban’s Ukraine narrative: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2026/04/07/orbans-ukraine-narrative/

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 interview, Adam Reichardt speaks with journalist, writer, and sociologist Mateusz Mazzini about where Polish politics stand today and what may come next.They discuss the Tusk government’s record so far, why security and foreign policy now dominate domestic politics, President Karol Nawrocki’s veto of the EU SAFE defence financing mechanism, Poland’s evolving relationship with the United States under Donald Trump, and the rise of the right and far right ahead of the 2027 parliamentary elections. This is a wide-ranging conversation on power, sovereignty, defence, and the political choices that may shape Poland’s future.Guest: Mateusz Mazzini is a Polish journalist, writer, and sociologist. He writes for Gazeta Wyborcza and Polityka, and has published in The Washington Post, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, and New Eastern Europe.

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 episode explores how shifting geopolitics may be weakening Ukraine’s position while strengthening Russia’s hand.The discussion then turns to wider regional security concerns, including whether NATO could face a real test in the Baltics and how countries like Poland are preparing for a potential escalation. We also look at Moldova’s newly declared energy state of emergency following Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure, highlighting how the war continues to impact the broader region.Finally, we head to the Balkans to unpack local elections inSerbia, where reports of irregularities and political pressure raise fresh concerns about democratic standards under Aleksandar Vučić.Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a comment, and check outour full episodes and bonus content.

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 marked by growing concerns over power concentration, weakened opposition, and shrinking civic space.In the conversation we discuss:Why Albania increasingly resembles a dominant one-party system The collapse and fragmentation of the opposition, including Sali Berisha’s roleWhat’s really behind the so-called “anti-corruption protests” The paradox of anti-corruption efforts led by Albania’s special prosecutor (SPAK) Why these protests are less grassroots—and more about elite power struggles The gap between Albania’s EU progress on paper and its democratic reality How international media may be misreading the situation We also explore the concept of “stabilitocracy”—where leaders promise stability to the EU whileundermining democratic institutions at home—and what this means for Albania’sEU future.Learn even more: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2026/03/26/building-a-collective-desire-the-rise-of-kamza-tells-the-story-of-post-communist-albania/Support us - join our patron community! https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

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 and constitutional changes in Kazakhstan.The episode explores how shifting political alliances, right-wing transnational networks, and allegations of foreign influence are shaping the region’s political landscape. The hosts also discuss Slovenia’s razor-thin election outcome and reflect on their latest deep-dive interview investigating alleged Slovak connections to the Epstein files.In this episode:Polish-Hungarian political tensions and ViktorOrbán’s election strategy CPAC Hungary and the rise of conservativetransnational alliances Allegations of intelligence leaks betweenHungarian officials and Moscow Huge anti-government demonstrations in Prague Slovenia’s unexpectedly tight election results Kazakhstan’s constitutional referendum andpotential power consolidation  Subscribe on YouTube and follow on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform to stay updated on the latest developments shaping Eastern Europe.

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://vsquare.org/and-most-importantly-friend-mapping-miroslav-lajcaks-encounters-with-jeffrey-epstein/Support this channel – become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeBonus interview:In the bonus section we discuss the investigation into the Ukrainian corruption scandal which broke recently, called Operation Midas. The scandal is considered to be one of the most high-profile anti-corruption investigations in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion, and there appears to be a significant Slovak connection as well. Watch and the bonus content here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-content-to-153813167

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 our new podcast format: one DeepDive interview earlier in the week, followed by a separate news roundup later in the week.Watch, listen, and subscribe for weekly analysis on Eastern Europe, EU politics, Russia’s war against Ukraine, cultural developments, and regional security.Support us on Patreon for early access and bonus content - https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

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 creating new opportunities and risks for Moscow. The conversation explores Russia’s strategic calculations, the impact of rising oil and gas prices on the Kremlin’s war effort, the future of Western support for Ukraine, and the broader geopolitical implications involving the United States and China.Read more analysis by Marek Menkiszak: https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/eksperci/marek-menkiszakCheck out the latest issue of New Eastern Europe now available online here: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2026/02/23/issue-1-2-2026-europe-in-the-new-disorder/Don’t forget to sign up for the weekly newsletter Brief Eastern Europe: www.briefeasterneurope.euJoin our Patron community, get early access and additional content ➤ www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeFollow NEE on Instagram ➤  www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemagWebsite ➤ https://www.talkeasterneurope.eu

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 the main interview Alexandra is joined by Toma Istomina,deputy chief editor of The Kyiv Independent, on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Tome reflects on how the newsroom transformed overnight from a small startup into a major international outlet covering the war, and how journalists balance urgent battlefield reporting with deeper coverage of Ukrainian culture, history, and everyday life. The conversation explores the challenges of reporting during prolonged conflict, the importance of global understanding of Ukraine, and the role international audiences can play in supporting independent journalism covering the war.Check out the Kyiv Independent online: https://kyivindependent.com/Watch the special YouTube series “Dare to Ukraine” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cjMmGeLq0I&list=PLmOj0Ur_xinRpYyt31pbGt48Z6YGwX6ZtSupport the podcast and become a patron here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

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