Explaining Ukraine
UkraineWorld
A podcast by UkraineWorld.org, a multimedia project about Ukraine run by Internews Ukraine. Explaining Ukraine, its politics, society and its culture. Support us: patreon.com/ukraineworld
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 20, 2022 • 40min
Ep. - 65 How Russia uses disinformation as an instrument of war - with Olga Tokariuk
In our new episode of the “Explaining Ukraine” podcast, we analyze how Russia is using disinformation, misinformation, and propaganda to support its actions against Ukraine and the West. Our guest is Olga Tokariuk, an independent Ukrainian journalist, disinformation researcher, and a non-resident fellow at CEPA, the Centre for European Policy Analysis.
Support us: patreon.com/ukraineworld
This podcast is brought to you by UkraineWorld.org and Internews Ukraine.
A link to the research paper discussed during the conversation can be found here: https://bit.ly/3FKRBZ5

Jan 19, 2022 • 48min
Ep. № 64 - Ukraine vs. Russia: What can Europe do? - with Wilfried Jilge
In the new episode of the “Explaining Ukraine” podcast, we continue our analysis of the geopolitical and security situation around Ukraine, the Russian military buildup on the Ukrainian border, the threat of a large-scale war, and the results of Russian talks with the US, NATO and OSCE. In this episode, we also focus on the role of the EU and its member states, particularly Germany, in this situation. UkraineWorld’s guest is Wilfried Jilge, a historian of Eastern and Central Europe at the Centre for International Peace Operations in Berlin, associate fellow at DGAP, the German Council on Foreign Relations.
Support us: patreon.com/ukraineworld
The podcast is brought to you by UkraineWorld.org and Internews Ukraine.

Dec 31, 2021 • 54min
Ep. № 63 - Ukraine in 2021: key events and trends
In this episode of “Explaining Ukraine”, we will take a look at the major trends and events in and around Ukraine in 2021, including: Russia’s military escalations on Ukraine’s borders; President Zelensky’s confrontations with opponents and oligarchs; positive and negative trends in reforms; how Ukrainian citizens see these developments, and more. Support us: patreon.com/ukraineworld

Dec 20, 2021 • 29min
Ep. № 62 - Russian military buildup: a bluff or a real threat? - With Peter Dickinson
Russia is amassing its troops on the Ukrainian border, and the risks of a new large-scale military escalation are high. Is it all a bluff, or is the threat real? Is there a consensus in the United States about it? What are the possible solutions on the table? Is the Zelensky Administration prepared for a military invasion? UkraineWorld’s chief editor Volodymyr Yermolenko discusses these issues with Peter Dickinson, chief editor of the UkraineAlert blog at the Atlantic Council. Support us: patreon.com/ukraineworld

Dec 15, 2021 • 41min
Ep. № 61 - Crimea: a fresh view on its past and present - with Rory Finnin
This episode is about Crimea. Not only about Crimea’s seizure and occupation by Russia in 2014, but about its longer history: the history of Stalin’s brutal deportation of Crimean Tatars in 1944, the history of Russian colonialism, of erasing memory and the displacement of people, the history of Ukrainian-Crimean Tatar relations, and the history of cultural solidarity and intercultural memory. UkraineWorld’s chief editor Volodymyr Yermolenko talks with Rory Finnin, Director of the Ukrainian Studies Programme at the University of Cambridge. Support us: patreon.com/ukraineworld

Dec 14, 2021 • 22min
Ep. № 60 - Does Putin want a new “Yalta”? – with Oleksandr Sushko
We continue discussing the Russian military buildup on the Ukrainian border, as well as the possible threat of a full–scale Russian military attack. UkraineWorld’s chief editor Volodymyr Yermolenko talks with well-known Ukrainian foreign policy expert Oleksandr Sushko, the executive director of the International Renaissance Foundation. In this episode, we also try to reflect what Russia's motivations are, and if it is going to press for a new European security order, or a “new Yalta”. Support us: patreon.com/ukraineworld

Dec 9, 2021 • 46min
Ep. № 59 - Ukrainian history: new ways to look at it - with Katherine Younger
How can we look at Ukrainian history in new ways? How can we view it from a multi-national, international or global perspective? Is the “borderland” metaphor productive? How can we go beyond “imperial” or “national” approaches to history? What can Ukrainian history teach us about the present? What new approaches it can suggest to global history?
UkraineWorld’s chief editor Volodymyr Yermolenko talks with Katherine Younger, historian of Central and Eastern Europe, research director of the “Ukraine in the European Dialogue” programme at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) in Vienna. Support us: patreon.com/ukraineworld

9 snips
Dec 7, 2021 • 44min
Ep. № 58 - The new Russian attack on Ukraine: Is it real? - with James Sherr
Russia has been increasing its military buildup all along the Ukrainian border. Ukrainian and international leaders and experts openly talk about a possibility of a full-scale invasion. Is Russia likely to attack, and are Ukraine and its Western partners prepared for it? UkraineWorld’s chief editor Volodymyr Yermolenko will analyze the situation with James Sherr, a well-known expert on Russia, Ukraine and international security. Mr Sherr is a senior fellow at the Estonian Foreign Policy Institute at the International Centre for Defence & Security in Tallinn, and an associate fellow at Russia and Eurasian Programme at Chatham House in London. Support us: patreon.com/ukraineworld

Dec 3, 2021 • 53min
Ep. № 57 - Ukraine in November 2021: new Russian threat; Zelensky and oligarchs; Belarus and more
In our new episode of the Explaining Ukraine podcast, we look at developments in and around Ukraine in November 2021. Last month, Ukraine witnessed an ever-increasing build-up of Russian troops along its border; President Zelensky found himself in the midst of a scandal following an allegedly failed special operation; Rinat Akhmetov, Ukraine’s wealthiest oligarch, has become an enemy of the President following allegations over a failed special operation; the migration crisis at the EU-Belarus border has created imminent security threats for Ukraine.

Nov 4, 2021 • 53min
Ep. № 56 - Ukraine in October 2021: Russia weaponizes gas; vaccination accelerates; EU-UA summit
This month’s episode of our Explaining Ukraine podcast focuses on major events and trends in October 2021. Ukraine accelerates vaccination amid stronger corona threats; the EU and Ukraine sign a deal on open skies and update their association agreement, opening up new possibilities for businesses and citizens; Russia weaponizes gas against both the EU and Ukraine, cuts coal supplies to Ukraine and threatens to leave it with an energy deficit in winter; Russian troops are reportedly massing on Ukraine’s border. Hosts of the podcast: UkraineWorld’s chief editor Volodymyr Yermolenko and analyst Maksym Panchenko.


