Leaders Debate Defence Plans at the EU Summit

Wojciech Przybylski talks with Marcin Król Fellow Matej Šimalčik on Xi Jinping’s tour of Europe, comparing it to his visit from five years ago as well as the differences between his reception in Paris, Belgrade and Budapest. Read Šimalčik's text on the visit here: https://visegradinsight.eu/xi-jinping-in-europe-what-makes-his-trip-so-special/ Read the related weekly outlook: https://visegradinsight.eu/tusk-and-ursula-plans-for-europe-against-russian-subversion/

How Ursula von der Leyen's and Donald Tusk's "Plan for Europe" speeches addressed the security threats from Russia and other autocratic powers, but failed to address the issue of democratic security and enlargement. By Wojciech Przybylski and Galan Dall Recommended reads: Wojciech Przybylski on Ursula von der Leyen speech in Poland: https://visegradinsight.eu/ursula-mobilised-europe-against-the-virus-now-tasked-against-the-evil-quick-take/ Matej Šimalčik on Xi Jinping's European visit: https://visegradinsight.eu/xi-jinping-in-europe-what-makes-his-trip-so-special/ CEE democratic security dynamics this week: https://visegradinsight.eu/tusk-and-ursula-plans-for-europe-against-russian-subversion/

Wojciech Przybylski and Albin Sybera discuss the differences between Czech and Polish countries in their 20-year history of EU membership. We also provide commentary on Sikorski's foreign policy priorities address and Macron's Sorbonne 2.0 speech. Links: Vladimír Špidla interview: https://visegradinsight.eu/if_not-for-the-european-union-central-europe-would-be-torn-between-germany-and-russia-interview/ Marek Suski: https://visegradinsight.eu/suski-affair-puts-a-lid-on-law-and-justice-election-campaign-quick-take/ Weekly Outlook - https://visegradinsight.eu/only-enlarged-eu-would-thwart-some-of-xi-jinpings-ambitions/

Wojciech Przybylski sits down with Maria Simeonova, programme coordinator the Wider Europe programme and ECFR's Sofia office, to discuss the potential impact of the new EU Strategic Agenda 2024-2029 as well as the new trajectories mentioned in the leaked version of the agenda which has additional focus on democratic security and enlargement.Links mentioned in the podcast:Cost of Non-enlargement report: https://visegradinsight.eu/costs-of-non-enlargement/Europe Future Forum link: https://visegradinsight.eu/europe-future-forum-2024/Outlook link: https://visegradinsight.eu/new-eu-strategic-agenda-to-sponsor-democratic-security-and-boost-enlargement/

Wojciech Przybylski moderates a discussion between Michaela Terenzani, SME's lead on the foreign news desk, and Eva Mihočková, Editor-in-chief of Foreign Policy SFPA and Marcin Król Fellow at Visegrad Insight, break down the results of Slovakia's presidential election where Peter Pellegrini won by tapping into the fears of the electorate and amplifying Moscow's disinformation narratives.

For a number of weeks, Viktor Orbán has been on the defensive, an unprecedented development in in the past 14 years. Who is Péter Magyar and why does he generate massive interest today? And is it bad or good news for the opposition? Wojciech Przybylski interviews Bálint Ruff, a political strategist and a host of Vétó show on Partizán YouTube channel Recommended reading: https://visegradinsight.eu/new-political-geometry-boosts-europes-defence/

Deputy Editor Adam Jasser talks to political scientist and Visegrad Insight Fellow Spasimir Domaradzki about the impact of the breakdown of Bulgaria's grand coalition in this special episode of our podcast.

Adam Jasser speaks with Paul Taylor, a freelance columnist for The Guardian and veteran Brussels think-tanker and journalist, about last week's EU summit. Key topics included the ongoing farmers' protests, as well as discussions on the prioritisation of defence matters on the agenda as leaders deliberated on how the EU could bolster its own industry while promptly extending aid to Ukraine.

Adam Jasser and Staś Kaleta discuss the context behind last week’s meeting between Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz and Donald Tusk, how their visions for Europe compare to Viktor Orbán’s plans to “occupy” Brussels, as well as Russia’s sham elections.

Wojciech Przybylski and Adam Jasser discuss President Duda and PM Tusk's US tour to celebrate 25 years of NATO enlargement. It is the first co-habitation trip, showing a sense of unity is possible even in the polarised Polish political environment, which can be inspirational for the domestic disagreements between Democrats and Republicans in Washington. This is all occurring as Poland starts to conceive having NATO nuclear deterrents on their soil. Read https://visegradinsight.eu/is-poland-mulling-its-own-nuclear-deterrent/