Talk Eastern Europe

** Support Talk Eastern Europe. Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEuropeIn this episode, which is the third part in our special mini-series on Romanian foreign policy in the region, Maciek asks Oktawian Milewski to provide a deeper look at Romanian-Russian relations. They cover such topics as: historical factors in current relations; Romania’s role as a regional player; the Eastern Partnership and Romania; and what is the outlook for the two countries.Catch-up on our previous episodes related to Romania’s foreign policy:- Episode 36: Complicated neighbours. Romania-Moldova relations in the spotlight: https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkeasterneurope/tee-36- Episode 45: Romania-Ukraine: Evolution of relations: https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkeasterneurope/tee-45Music featured in this podcast: “Mysterious” by Agnese Valmaggia https://filmmusic.io/song/6786-mysterious / License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod Network https://www.bullemedia.eu/europod ***Talk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe. Published by the Jan Nowak-Jezioranski College of Eastern Europe in Wroclaw. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

** Support Talk Eastern Europe. Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEuropeThis episode of Talk Eastern Europe discusses the delicate relationship between two regional powers with ambitions for their neighbourhoods: Russia and Turkey. The two countries, which faced a serious crisis in 2015 after a Russian jet was shot down in Turkish airspace. Since then, both countries have found a common understanding even if their interests are not always aligned. How long can this relationship last? In this episode, Maciek catches up with Dimitar Bechev a research fellow at the Center of Slavic, Eurasian, and East European Studies with the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and a Senior Fellow with the Atlantic Council. He is also the author of a recent book titled “Rival Power. Russia’s influence in Southeast Europe”. Maciek and Dimitar pick apart the current state of relations between Russia and Turkey and discuss some challenges to the medium and long term, including the impact of coronavirus on this relationship.Resources:“Turkey and Russia: No Birds of the Same Feather”, Dimitar Bechev, Suat Kınıklıoğlu. SWP Report, May 2020: https://www.swp-berlin.org/10.18449/2020C24/ “Turkey’s Plans to Become a Regional Energy Giant Just Got a Boost”, By: Dimitar Bechev. Foreign Policy. 28 August 2020. https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/08/28/turkeys-plans-to-become-a-regional-energy-giant-just-got-a-boost/Music featured in the podcast: End Titles Extended Version (Romeos Erbe) by Sascha EndeLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/3158-end-titles-extended-version-romeos-erbe-License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod Network https://www.bullemedia.eu/europodTalk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe. Published by the Jan Nowak-Jezioranski College of Eastern Europe in Wroclaw. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

*** Support Talk Eastern Europe. Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/TalkEasternEurope On September 27th, clashes broke out between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces in the conflict region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The intensity of the clashes quickly escalated becoming the largest escalation since the cease-fire in 1994 (larger than the so-called 4-days War in 2016). Both sides quickly announced partial or full mobilisation and introduced martial law on their territories. In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Adam and Maciek catch up with Arkadiusz Legieć, an analyst on the Caucasus and Central Asia at the Polish Institute of International Affairs. They discuss the current situation and how the conflict is both an element of internal politics of Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as a key component of their foreign and security policies. They also discuss the role of third parties, such as Turkey, Russia and Iran and what their aims are in the conflict as well as the broader geopolitical consequences.Resources:- “Renewed war over Nagorno-Karabakh. Broader implications,” By: Richard Giragosian. New Eastern Europe, 30 September 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/09/30/renewed-war-over-nagorno-karabakh-broader-implications/- “Azerbaijan and Armenia edge towards full-scale war. Consequences and risks,” By: Vasif Huseynov. New Eastern Europe, 30 September 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/09/30/azerbaijan-and-armenia-edge-towards-full-scale-war-consequences-and-risks/- “Is a new war in Karabakh inevitable?” By: Benyamin Poghosyan. New Eastern Europe August 21, 2019: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/08/21/is-a-new-war-in-karabakh-inevitable/ Music featured in the podast: “Mountain Walk by Alexander Nakarada”; Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6382-mountain-walk License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Talk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe, published by the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe in Wrocław. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs s in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

Support Talk Eastern Europe. Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope Since 2014, the number of Ukrainians coming to Poland, temporarily or permanently, has grown exponentially. Some estimates believe that there are between one to two million Ukrainian migrants currently in Poland. This episode of Talk Eastern Europe looks at why Ukrainians are coming to Poland, how their migration has affected Polish-Ukrainian relations, and discusses some successes and challenges they face in integrating into society. The podcast features an interview with Sasha Iwaniuk, a Ukrainian political scientist, writer, journalist and activist with the “Nasz Wybor” (Our Choice) Foundation in Warsaw aimed at helping Ukrainian migrants and creating a dialogue for Poles Ukrainians.Resources & Links- “Picking strawberries in a pandemic” By Magdalena Chodownik and Omar Marques. New Eastern Europe, Issue 5/2020 (Sept-Oct). https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/09/07/picking-strawberries-in-a-pandemic/ - “Ukrainians in the Polish-German Borderland.” By: Alexandra Wishart. New Eastern Europe, 22 May 22 2019: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/05/22/ukrainians-in-the-polish-german-borderland/ - “Ukrainians seek a Polish dream in Wrocław.” By: Olga Chrebor. New Eastern Europe, Issue 1/2018: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2018/01/02/ukrainians-seek-polish-dream-wroclaw/ Additional music featured in the podcast. “Call Me” by DreamHeaven Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6573-call-me- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Talk Eastern Europe is researched and produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe published by the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe – a Polish-based NGO. Additional funding to produce this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod Network https://www.bullemedia.eu/europodTalk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe, published by the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe in Wrocław. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs s in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

Support this podcast. Become a patron (even just $2 a month will help us!)www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope On October 31st, Georgians will go to the polls in the next parliamentary elections. These elections will be a huge test to the current ruling party, the Georgian Dream, following new election reforms and the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout in the background. How will other factors such as Russian influence, attempts by the opposition to unite, or the an announced (however unlikely) return by former president Mikheil Saakashvili play into the election campaign? In this episode, Adam catches us with Mackenzie Baldinger, a contributing editor with New Eastern Europe, based in Tbilisi to discuss the current situation and what we might expect this fall. Resources:“Hardly a Georgian dream. Confronting COVID-19 in the midst of an election year” by Mackenzie Baldinger. New Eastern Europe issue 5/2020. https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/09/07/hardly-a-georgian-dream-confronting-covid-19-in-the-midst-of-an-election-year/“Western pressure intensifies towards the Georgian Dream. Is Georgian democracy backsliding?” by Soso Dzamukashvili. New Eastern Europe 10 September 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/09/10/western-pressure-intensifies-towards-the-georgian-dream-is-georgian-democracy-backsliding/ “Post-pandemic Georgia: stepping out of a political crisis?” by Soso Dzamukashvili. New Eastern Europe 9 June 2020: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/06/09/post-pandemic-georgia-stepping-out-of-political-crisis/ Talk Eastern Europe Episode 17: Zelenskyy wins big in Ukraine; Georgia protests against Russian influence: https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkeasterneurope/episode-17-zelenskyy-wins-big-in-ukraine Additional music in the podcastAutumn Rain by MusicLFiles https://filmmusic.io/song/6551-autumn-rainhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the Europod network. Learn more here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europodTalk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe, published by the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe in Wrocław. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs s in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

Originally live streamed on 08 September 2020This is the fourth and final online debate in the framework of the project titled “Ost/Wschód: German-Polish Debates on the East”. This time, we are discussing the topic of the growing convergences and divergences of Russian-Chinese cooperation in the post-Soviet Space.The debate features:- Germany: Helena Legarda from the Mercator Institute for China Studies.- Poland: Marcin Kaczmarski, University of GlasgowModerator: Adam Balcer, Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern EuropeThe panelists address such issues as: How do Poland and Germany see China’s presence in the region? Where do Russia and China cooperate in the post-Soviet space and where do they compete? What are the geopolitical and economic consequences of this relations?The debate is co-organised by the Jan Nowak Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe and the Deutsch-Russischer Austausch e.V. (DRA) and sponsored by the Heinrich Boell Foundation’s Warsaw Office as well as the Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation.Additional music featured in the podcast:commonGround by airtone (c) copyright 2018 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/airtone/58703

Please support the podcast – become a patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope Episode 52 features a discussion on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline - a very controversial project in Europe. The pipeline, which aims to become a second gas pipeline to deliver Russian gas directly to Germany, was set to be completed by the end of 2019. Yet, delays have pushed back the pipeline’s final construction and looming questions about the legality and political purposes behind the project still linger.In this episode, Adam and Maciek interview Wojciech Jakóbik, a Polish energy analyst and editor-in-chief of the Biznes Alert portal to discuss Nord Stream 2, seeking to answer such questions as: What is the current status of the project? What are the economic and political aspects of the pipeline? What are the perspectives on the project, include: German, Central and Eastern Europe, and American? And what might come next? ** Note: this was recorded before the poisoning of Alexey Navalny, which may or may not have an effect on Germany’s decision to finalize the pipeline.Resources- “How to lose friends and alienate people or Germany on Nord Stream 2” By Wojciech Jakóbik. New Eastern Europe 4 April 2019: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2019/04/04/how-to-lose-friends-and-alienate-people-or-germany-on-nord-stream-2/- “Gone with the virus. How the pandemic makes Russian strategy evanescent” By Andrey Makarychev. New Eastern Europe, Issue 3-4/2020. https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/07/07/gone-with-the-virus-how-the-pandemic-makes-russian-strategy-evanescent/Music featured in the podcast: Galaxy 1 Short Version by Frank Schröter. https://filmmusic.io/song/6540-galaxy-1-short-version. License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the Europod network. Learn more here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europodTalk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe, published by the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe in Wrocław. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs s in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

Following the falsified August 9th presidential election in Belarus, which declared incumbent Alyaksandr Lukashenka winner with 80% of the vote, Belarusians have taken to the streets in unprecedented numbers. Nearly three weeks later, the protests continue and are joined by striking workers from state-owned enterprises. The regime, however, has fought back with an initial brutal crackdown and continuous arrests of activists, protesters and journalists. In this episode, Adam catches up with Yahor Azarkevich to get some reactions on the current mood from the ground in Belarus. They discuss the state of the protests, their organization, the Russian factor as well as what possible scenarios may come next.Support the podcast – become a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropePrevious episodes on Belarus - Episode 29: Belarus under the Kremlin’s pressure: https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkeasterneurope/tee-29- Episode 46: Belarus on the edge: https://www.spreaker.com/user/talkeasterneurope/tee-46Follow New Eastern Europe’s ongoing coverage of the situation in Belarus here: https://neweasterneurope.eu/tag/belarus-2020-presidential-election/Who to follow on Twitter:- Hanna Liubakova: https://twitter.com/HannaLiubakova- NEXTA media: https://twitter.com/nexta_tv- Franak Viačorka https://twitter.com/franakviacorkaMusic featured in the episodeMury (walls) - Polish protest song in Belarusian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdNnxQSmqAITalk Eastern Europe is member of the EuroPod Network: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europodTalk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe, published by the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe in Wrocław. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs s in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

One of the least covered political stories in Central and Eastern Europe has been the mass protests against the government of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov in Bulgaria. The latest string of corruption scandals facing Borissov and his government, which have been in power for over 10 years, seems to have become the last straw. Crowds flooded the streets to protest the scandals – at one point reaching 100,000 protesters in Sofia – demanding an immediate resignation of the government and snap elections. In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Adam and Maciek discuss the situation in the country with Radosveta Vassileva a Bulgarian legal scholar and author with New Eastern Europe. They talk about the current context, the strength of the protests, what the European Commission is (not really) doing, Russian influence in the country, COVID-19 in Bulgaria, and what might come next.At the end of the episode, Adam and Maciek reflect on the podcast and its developments on the occasion of the 50th episode. And of course, the shout out to all of the patrons!Talk Eastern Europe is member of the EuroPod Network: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europodPLEASE SUPPORT US! Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope Resources- “Bulgaria: Will Borissov’s government survive this summer?” New Eastern Europe . 13 July 2020. https://neweasterneurope.eu/2020/07/13/bulgaria-will-borissovs-government-survive-this-summer/- Rule of Law, Human Rights and Democracy in Bulgaria and Beyond – A personal blog of Dr. Radosveta Vassileva: https://radosvetavassileva.blog/- “Russia’s Political Influence in Bulgaria” by Andrey Grashkin. Foreign Policy Research Institute: https://www.fpri.org/article/2020/01/russias-political-influence-in-bulgaria/Music featured in the podcast:Mining by Moonlight by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4055-mining-by-moonlight License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Talk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe, published by the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe in Wrocław. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs s in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.

War and conflict in Eastern Europe is often discussed and analysed in the context of big politics and national interests. However, what is often forgotten are the everyday victims of the conflict – those who live in the conflict zone or are refugees affected by war. In this episode Maciek and Adam sit down with Helena Krajewska from the Polish Humanitarian Action (Polska Akcja Humanitarna). Helena gives an overview of the activities her organisation is doing in providing humanitarian assistance to eastern Ukraine. She describes the challenges and successes that have taken place there since 2014 and how they are now addressing locals’ needs in the midst of war and the COVID-19 pandemic.Polish Humanitarian Action conducts its work in eastern Ukraine (and around the world) in part thanks to support from individual donations. Learn how you can support the organisation’s mission and activities. Click here: https://www.pah.org.pl/en/donate/Music featured in the podcast:Flight Pack 1 - 4/6 (Segeln) by Sascha EndeLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/179-flight-pack-1---4-6-segeln-License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Talk Eastern Europe is a member of the EuroPod network. Learn more here: https://www.bullemedia.eu/europodSupport the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeTalk Eastern Europe is produced by Maciej Makulski and Adam Reichardt. The podcast is affiliated with New Eastern Europe, published by the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe in Wrocław. Additional funding for this episode came from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs s in the framework of the “Public Diplomacy 2020 – New dimension” grant programme.