KEW talks

Disinformation, populism and other tools are used by Russia to destabilize Western democracies. Pola Cebulak, from Free University of Amsterdam, describes methods used by Moscow in its fight against the West. She remains optimistic, despite obvious weaknesses of democratic countries exploited by the authoritarian regime.  A project Protecting European Values. The podcast was co-funded by the European Commission.

Belarusian' dictator can look for support in the Balkans. There is at least an affinity. It is based on historic, ethnic and cultural links, as Adam Balcer from the College of Eastern Europe explains. Russia is using the same links and affiliations, too. The EU enlargement seems to be the only way to diffuse the cooperation. “We support the Belarusian Awakening’24” is a project co-financed by Solidarity Fund PL within the framework of Polish development cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland in the amount of PLN 230,000.This publication expresses the views of the author only and cannot be identified with the official position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

Russia and Belarus use BRICS to circumvent sanctions. In addition, countries such as Brazil don't really follow the conflict between the West, and Moscow and Minsk. Angelo Kramer from Wroclaw University underlines that Brazilians now little about Eastern Europe and don't really understand EU's arguments with regard to the region. Therefore, the West has to overcome the colonial narratives and change it's approach to Brazilians and other BRICS countries.  “We support the Belarusian Awakening’24” is a project co-financed by Solidarity Fund PL within the framework of Polish development cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland in the amount of PLN 230,000.This publication expresses the views of the author only and cannot be identified with the official position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

It is difficult to maintain interest in Belarusian issues in Germany. Robert Sperfeld from Heinrich-Böll Foundation explains the phenomenon and the need to maintain support for Belarusian diaspora. The regime will change, one day, and Belarusians must know that they are welcome in the family of democratic, European countries. “We support the Belarusian Awakening’24” is a project co-financed by Solidarity Fund PL within the framework of Polish development cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland in the amount of PLN 230,000.This publication expresses the views of the author only and cannot be identified with the official position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

It would be easy to understand why Poles or Germans support Ukraine and oppose Russia, or the other way around. Olena Babakova, a journalist, migration researcher and lecturer, presents a more complex view where one can criticize or oppose Ukraine while neither  supporting Russia. The reasons and nuances also vary from country to country, too.The podcast was produced as a part of the 6th German-Polish Round Table on the Eastern Europe.Project partners: Kolegium Europy Wschodniej, Zentrum Liberale Moderne and Austausch e.V., co-funded by Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Warszawa and Fundacja Współpracy Polsko-Niemieckiej/Stiftung Für Deutsch-Polnische Zusammenarbeit.

Russian aggression in Ukraine has a polarizing effect on the world.  Yulia Kazdobina,  a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Council, Ukrainian Prism, draws some comparisons with the Cold War, but the lessons from the past are limited. Also with regard to the Global South countries which require serious consideration and approach. She also talks about lessons in resilience which can and should be considered by the West, for example with regard to Russian propaganda machine. The podcast was produced as a part of the 6th German-Polish Round Table on the Eastern Europe.Project partners: Kolegium Europy Wschodniej, Zentrum Liberale Moderne and Austausch e.V., co-funded by Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Warszawa and Fundacja Współpracy Polsko-Niemieckiej/Stiftung Für Deutsch-Polnische Zusammenarbeit.

The moral argument of Ukraine facing an aggressive enemy seems not to be convincing any more, when speaking with Kyiv's  friends in the West. Ukraine has to adapt its messages, but also Western leaders have to improve their communication with their voters, as explains Stepan Rusyn, a coordinator of the German-Ukrainian Partnership Programme at the Transatlantic Dialogue Centre.The podcast was produced as a part of the 6th German-Polish Round Table on the Eastern Europe.Project partners: Kolegium Europy Wschodniej, Zentrum Liberale Moderne and Austausch e.V., co-funded by Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Warszawa and Fundacja Współpracy Polsko-Niemieckiej/Stiftung Für Deutsch-Polnische Zusammenarbeit.

Peter Pellegrini emerged victorious in the second round of presidential elections in Slovakia. Yet, it's apparent that the true beneficiary is the populist Prime Minister, Robert Fico. A shift towards a more Russia-friendly political stance, coupled with Euroscepticism, has now gained solid ground. Tomáš Strážay of the Slovak Foreign Policy Association expresses concerns, but amidst the apprehension, there remains a glimmer of optimism. A project Protecting European Values. The podcast was co-funded by the European Commission.

What does "strategic communication" really mean? What is the current state of strategic communication in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland? Kristína Šefčíková from Prague Security Studies Institute and Adam Lelonek, International Republican Institute "The Beacon Project" discuss weaknesses and the best practices of strategic communication in the region. 

Andreas Metz, Director for Public Affairs at the German Eastern Business Association, highlights Germany's pivotal role in Europe's support for Ukraine. Emphasizing the necessity of collaboration with Poland in the realm of international relations, Metz suggests that Europe must be ready for the increasingly unpredictable nature of American support for Ukraine. Furthermore, he underscores the importance of Kyiv undertaking necessary reforms to align with EU standards. Metz asserts that Ukraine requires swift reforms rather than a hasty shortcut to EU membership.The podcast was produced as a part of the 5th German-Polish Round Table on the Eastern Europe.Project partners: Kolegium Europy Wschodniej, Zentrum Liberale Moderne and Austausch e.V., co-funded by Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Warszawa and Fundacja Współpracy Polsko-Niemieckiej/Stiftung Für Deutsch-Polnische Zusammenarbeit.