Explaining Ukraine

Marci Shore, an expert on 20th-century European intellectual history and Hannah Arendt, discusses the timeless concept of evil against today's background of war and suffering in Ukraine. They explore Arendt's thoughts on moral responsibility, the banality of evil, and how systemic violence dehumanizes individuals. Shore emphasizes the irreplaceability of human dignity in today’s totalitarian contexts and advocates for active civic engagement as a source of hope and resilience during dark times.

In this engaging discussion, Peter Pomerantsev, a scholar and author focused on information warfare, shares insights from his work on countering propaganda. He argues that traditional fact-checking methods fail because people seek identity and belonging rather than mere facts. The conversation dives into the legacy of Sefton Delmer, who used innovative strategies during WWII, including creating fake radio stations to sway opinions. Pomerantsev also discusses the importance of community in combatting misinformation and influencing perspectives within Russia.

In this insightful discussion, Terrell Jermaine Starr, a Black American journalist deeply connected to Ukraine, highlights the striking parallels between the experiences of Black Americans and Ukrainians. He explores shared struggles against systemic violence and societal challenges, urging a mutual understanding. Starr shares his transformative journey, navigating identity and cultural connections in Ukraine. He delves into themes of oppression, assimilation, and resilience, showcasing the dignity of everyday life amid conflict while emphasizing the quest for authenticity and solidarity.

Aman Sethi, an Indian journalist and editor-in-chief of openDemocracy, delves into the fragility of democracy worldwide. He discusses how democracy isn’t confined to one location, offering hope that while it wanes in some regions, it flourishes in others. Sethi's insights cover the Global South’s diverse narratives, the impact of colonial legacies on democratic aspirations, and the importance of grassroots movements. He also highlights the complexities of national identity and the role of technology in shaping Ukraine's democratic future amidst ongoing conflict.

Olga Myrovych, CEO of the Lviv Media Forum, shares her insights on the state of Ukrainian media during wartime. She discusses the struggles for freedom of speech and the critical role of journalists amidst conflict. The conversation highlights the increasing reliance on media for accurate information and explores the challenges of safety, censorship, and digital communication, especially on platforms like Telegram. Myrovych emphasizes the resilience of Ukrainian journalists and the importance of accountability in navigating the complexities of media in times of crisis.

Anne Applebaum, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and political analyst known for her insights on democracy and Eastern Europe, dives into the crisis of democracy and the rise of autocracies. She discusses Trump’s pro-Russian stance and the political tactics of Trump and Putin, emphasizing their ability to shape alternate realities. The conversation also explores NATO's changing dynamics in response to Russian aggression and highlights Ukraine's resilience and ingenuity in wartime, questioning the relationship between wealth, rights, and democracy.

Donnacha Ó Beacháin, an Irish political scientist and professor at Dublin City University, discusses the intricate history of Russian imperialism and its impact on Ukraine. He highlights the brutal conquests from the 16th century and the ongoing effects on local identities. They explore how recent conflicts have shifted national security perspectives in Finland, Sweden, and Moldova, reflecting on the cyclical nature of authoritarianism in Russia. Ó Beacháin also connects Ireland's colonial past to Ukraine's struggle, emphasizing shared experiences that foster empathy.

In this episode, we will explore the life and works of Oleksandra Ekster, a prominent Ukrainian avant-garde artist of the early 20th century. We will discuss cubofuturism, the cultural identity of Kyiv, the role of women in Ukrainian art, and the connections between Ukrainian and European avant-garde art. Our guest for this episode is Anna Lodygina, a Ukrainian art historian and journalist. She recently published a book in Ukrainian titled "Stories of Ukrainian Artists: Oleksandra Ekster." This conversation is moderated by Tetyana Ogarkova, a Ukrainian literary scholar and journalist, author of the podcast "L’Ukraine face a la guerre" (Ukraine facing the war) in French, and head of international outreach at Ukraine Crisis Media Centre. "Explaining Ukraine" is a podcast of UkraineWorld, an English-language media outlet about Ukraine run by Internews Ukraine. You can support our work on https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld. Your support is crucial for us as we rely heavily on crowdfunding. You can also support our volunteer trips to the frontline areas in Ukraine, where we provide support for both soldiers and civilians. You can donate via PayPal, ukraine.resisting@gmail.com. This episode is made in partnership with Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and under the framework of the project HER-UKR: Challenges and opportunities for EU heritage diplomacy in Ukraine, co-funded by the EU within the ERASMUS+ Jean Monnet Policy Debate action.

What lessons can we draw from the Ukrainian experience? Why is Ukraine not only a place of suffering and fight, but also a place of thinking and creation? Why is the cultural renaissance so strong during the war? What does it mean to think in dark times? Lecture by Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, the chief editor of UkraineWorld, and the president of PEN Ukraine, at the Institute for Human Sciences (Institut für die Wissenschaften vom Menschen) in Vienna on May 6th, 2025. Moderator and host: Ludger Hagedorn, Permanent Fellow at IWM. "Thinking in Dark Times" is a podcast series of UkraineWorld, an English-language media outlet about Ukraine run by Internews Ukraine. You can support our work on https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld. Your support is crucial for us as we rely a lot on crowdfunding. You can also support our volunteer trips to the frontline areas in Ukraine, where we deliver support for both soldiers and civilians. You can donate via PayPal: ukraine.resisting@gmail.com

We should look at wars not to build hierarchies but to understand something important about humans. Where does the violence come from? How to prevent it? What to do when it is already there? How can we defend ourselves and others? For this episode, we invited an award-winning writer V.V. Ganeshananthan. Her novel "Brotherless Night" tells a story of the civil war in Sri Lanka that has lasted for more than 25 years. The book won Women’s Prize for Fiction 2024 and the Asian Prize for Fiction in 2023. In this conversation we tried to connect war experiences in Sri Lanka and Ukraine. Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher and journalist, the chief editor of UkraineWorld and the president of PEN Ukraine. Explaining Ukraine is a podcast by UkraineWorld, a media about Ukraine run by Internews Ukraine, and based in Kyiv. You can support our work at https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld. Your support is crucial as our media increasingly relies on crowdfunding. You can also support our volunteer trips to the front-line areas, where we provide assistance to both soldiers and civilians - mainly by bringing cars for soldiers and books for civilians. You can support our trips via PayPal at ukraine.resisting@gmail.com. This episode was produced in partnership with the Ukrainian Institute, Ukraine's major cultural and public diplomacy institution, and NGO Cultural Diplomacy Foundation. "Brotherless Night": https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/453754/brotherless-night-by-ganeshananthan-v-v/9780241997673