Explaining Ukraine

Propaganda has long been a powerful tool for shaping public opinion, influencing international discourse, and justifying military actions. In Russia’s war against Ukraine, propaganda has been a central instrument for creating narratives that legitimize aggression, undermine democracy, and manipulate perceptions both domestically and internationally. This episode is a recording of a public event held by Central European University in Vienna. The speakers of the event were: - Teresa Marques, a philosopher of language, Associate Professor at the Philosophy Department of the University of Barcelona - Juliane Fürst, a historian, professor at the Department of Historical Studies at Central European University. - Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, president of PEN Ukraine and chief editor of UkraineWorld. The event was moderated by Fabio Lampert, Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Vienna. It was organized by the Knowledge in Crisis, a Cluster of Excellence supported by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF). *** UkraineWorld is run by Internews Ukraine, one of the country’s leading media NGOs. You can support our work at patreon.com/ukraineworld. Your support is crucial, as we increasingly rely on crowdfunding. Even a small monthly contribution can make a meaningful difference. You can also help fund our regular volunteer missions to Ukraine’s front-line areas, where we deliver aid to both soldiers and civilians—primarily by providing vehicles for the military and books for local communities. To support these efforts, donations can be made via PayPal at ukraine.resisting@gmail.com. *** Contents: 00:00 Intro 01:59 The story from Bucha 07:02 How can philosophers define propaganda? 13:31 How crucial was propaganda for the Soviet Union? 18:58 How does Russia frame information? 24:01 How does virtuality become reality? 33:34 Weaponization of the language 40:09 Putin’s rhetoric in the Russian-Ukrainian war 49:54 What role does the information play in the Russian-Ukrainian war? 01:00 How do we counter propaganda? 01:14 Q&A 01:18 How does Russian propaganda name this war: the tactic of blaming the victim 01:22 Skeptical view: Is propaganda ineffective? 01:36 How does propaganda shape the war perceptions of Russia’s National Republics? 01:44 Isolationism as a new narrative 01:56 Outro

Joseph Stiglitz is a world-renowned economist and thinker who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 2001. I met him in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, in June 2025 during the inspiring Zeg Festival in which we both participated. In this podcast episode, we spoke about his latest book, "The Road to Freedom", published last year, and about how flawed ideas of freedom can ultimately undermine freedom itself. I also asked him what the world can do to stop Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. *** Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, the chief editor of UkraineWorld, and the president of PEN Ukraine. UkraineWorld is an English-language media outlet focusing on Ukraine and its connections with the wider world. This media outlet is run by Internews Ukraine. This episode is also made in partnership with "Politeia", a Ukrainian NGO focusing on preparing a new generation of change-makers in Ukraine. *** You can support UkraineWorld on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld). Your support is vital, as we rely heavily on crowdfunding. You can also contribute to our volunteer missions to frontline areas in Ukraine, where we provide aid to both soldiers and civilians. Donations are welcome via PayPal at: ukraine.resisting@gmail.com. *** Contents: 0:00:00 - Intro 0:02:24 - How does "The Road to Freedom" compare to Hayek's "The Road to Serfdom" and Snyder's "The Road to Unfreedom"? 0:02:45 - What are Stiglitz’s main criticisms of neoliberalism? 0:08:09 - What's the core flaw in the concept of "limitless freedom"? 0:17:33 - How is Russia undermining democracy? 0:19:00 - What steps can Europe take with frozen Russian assets for Ukraine? 0:20:46 - Why won't seizing Russian assets cause a capital crisis or violate rule of law? 0:27:22 - How can good regulation foster beneficial innovation, not just exploitation?

This is a new kind of war. Drones have fundamentally changed its nature—and continue to do so every day. The threats now come from above, not just ahead. If you’re wounded, medics may not reach you quickly because of the drone threat. Dugouts should be less massive—and more concealed. And the drones themselves are diverse: small and large, for observation and for attack, for bombing and for supply. Let’s try to understand this evolving battlefield. *** My name is Volodymyr Yermolenko, I am a Ukrainian philosopher, the chief editor of UkraineWorld, and the president of PEN Ukraine. My guest today is Nataliya Gumenyuk, a leading Ukrainian journalist and co-founder of the Reckoning Project, which combines war crimes documentation with journalism. Nataliya recently embedded with three Ukrainian brigades to study drone warfare in depth. She wrote a major article for "The Atlantic". https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2025/05/ukraine-troops-front-lines/682910/ In this episode, I asked her to share what she saw and what she learned. *** The Explaining Ukraine podcast is produced by UkraineWorld, an English-language media outlet about Ukraine, run by Internews Ukraine. You can support our work on Patreon, https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld. Your support is vital, as we rely heavily on crowdfunding. You can also contribute to our frontline volunteer efforts, where we assist both soldiers and civilians. Donations are welcome via PayPal at: ukraine.resisting@gmail.com. *** Contents: 00:00 Intro 02:10 How is drone warfare changing the Russia-Ukraine war? 05:22 Why and how the frontline became transparent 14:59 Different types of drones and their purposes 27:51 Scaling or diversity: is Russia leading in the drone manufacturing? 32:11 Danger of the fiber-optic drones 37:42 What are the Ukrainian production capacities? 39:42 Ukraine strikes deep: Operation Spiderweb 42:29 What challenges does Ukraine face in drone production and how can international partners best support these efforts? 52:18 Support our work: https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld

Why is Georgia drifting toward authoritarianism? Why is its current government aligning more closely with Russia and blaming its predecessors for Russia’s 2008 invasion of Georgia? How are the histories of Ukraine and Georgia deeply intertwined—and why are these two countries key to understanding Eastern Europe? My name is Volodymyr Yermolenko. I am a Ukrainian philosopher, the chief editor of UkraineWorld, and the president of PEN Ukraine. My guest today is Tornike Gordadze, former Georgian State Minister for Euro-Atlantic Integration. He currently teaches at Sciences Po and the Jacques Delors Institute in Paris. We recorded this conversation in Tbilisi during the vibrant Zeg Festival, where both Tornike and I were participants. The Explaining Ukraine podcast is produced by 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, as we rely heavily on crowdfunding. You can also help fund our volunteer trips to frontline areas in Ukraine, where we support both soldiers and civilians. Donations are welcome via PayPal at: ukraine.resisting@gmail.com. *** Contents: 00:00 – Tornike Gordadze, a former Georgian minister 01:35 – Does the Russian imperialism connect Georgia and Ukraine? 02:53 – Georgians fight for Ukraine. Why? 06:00 – The Russian war methodology in Georgia and Ukraine 08:00 – The NATO Missed Chance: Bucharest Summit 2008 and its consequences 10:10 – How did the West's fear empower Russia? 15:00 – Georgia, Syria, Ukraine: Russia didn't pay any price for the interventions 17:00 – The West was not strong 19:00 – Georgia’s Transformation: From Rose Revolution to political decay 20:22 – Why is Russia afraid of the successful democracies next door? 24:04 – Who was Saakashvili? 26:30 – The rise of Georgian Dream - did Russia win? 28:59 – Russian or Belarusian playbook in Georgia 30:57 – Why would Georgia destroy all connections with the West? 33:40 – Why does Orban support the Georgia authorities? 36:15 – Bratislava speech of Macron: Russia is not only a threat to Ukraine but also to Europe 38:30 – Two shocks for Europe 40:16 – The future of the European continent is in danger – Gordadze

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.