Visegrad Insight Podcast

In this episode, we discuss Donald Trump's Ukraine strategy, whether he has finally realised Vladimir Putin is ‘crazy', and what that realisation would mean for EU security. We then breakdown debates and rallies in the final week before Poland's crucial presidential election run-off.

In this episode, our Visegrad Insight Enlargement Fellow Jan Farfal interviews Saskia Hollander, Senior Research Fellow at The Clingendael Institute. As the EU considers the gradual integration model for enlargement, we explore its potential benefits and risks. The discussion is based on the following Clingendael report: https://www.clingendael.org/publication/gradual-integration-candidate-countries-european-union.  

In this episode, we look at a weekend of key elections in Romania and Poland. To break down Nicușor Dan's remarkable victory, we hear from special guests Alex Olaru (Editor-in-Chief at PressOne), Alina Bârgǎoanu (Visegrad Insight Fellow, Member of the advisory board of the European Digital Media Observatory), and Radu Albu-Comǎnescu (Visegrad Insight Fellow, Lecturer at the University of Cluj-Napoca).

In this episode, we explore a redefined global security context with Róbert Ondrejcsák, Executive Director of the European Leadership Network, former Slovak Ambassador to the UK and former Deputy Defence Minister of Slovakia. We break down Xi Jinping's call for Russia and China to become ‘friends of steel' – in opposition to leaders in Kyiv and Washington – and the place of different V4 countries in this context.

In this episode, we look back on Donald Tusk's meetings with Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz, Xi Jinping's call for Russia and China to become ‘friends of steel', an important meeting of leaders in Kyiv, and the prospects of George Simion becoming Romanian President on 18 May.

In this episode, we look at Victory Day in Russia and who may or may not be attending. We also breakdown events happening at the same time in Europe, like a new treaty between Poland and France, as well as first round election results in Romania and the latest opinion polls in Poland – two weeks before the 18 May vote.

In this episode, we look back on the last 10 years of the Three Seas Initiative, as the forum celebrates its 10th anniversary in Warsaw – and in the same week that Donald Trump Jr. tours around the region… We also break down the state of play ahead of crucial elections in Romania and Poland.

In this episode, we explore relations between Poland and Germany with special guest, Bartosz Wieliński – Visegrad Insight Fellow and Deputy Editor-in-Chief at Gazeta Wyborcza. We break down how the politics of memory around Germany and migration has been weaponised, in the past and now ahead of Polish elections next month. We also look at what to expect from the new Friedrich Merz-led coalition, and whether it will live up to Polish expectations.

In this episode, we break down Polish expectations for the new German government. We also look at presidential election debates in Poland – including an unknown, pro-Russian unknown actor – and growing concerns about corruption in Hungary and Slovakia.

In this episode, we dive into the reactions and the reasoning behind Donald Trump's tariffs. We also give an exclusive teaser of our Quarterly Brief, which analyses how the new US administration has reshaped European defence: inspiring investment in hard security, but also amplifying illiberal actors and their threats to democratic security.Keep an eye out. Our brief, written with input from fellows around Central and Eastern Europe (some of whom you'll hear from in this episode), will be out soon!

In this episode, we break down discourse on China in Central and Eastern European social media. We then dive into the increasingly important world of chips and semiconductors. We're joined by Matej Šimalčík, Executive Director of the Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS). You can find the latest CEIAS report, ‘Contested narratives about China on V4 social media', at the link: https://ceias.eu/situation-report-contested-narratives-about-china-on-v4-social-media/

In this episode, we react to news that the European Commission is making a fresh push to free European savings – in the context of the ReArm Europe plan – as well as growing talk around military training. We also look at the deeper, economic issues Viktor Orbán is trying to cover up in Hungary.

In this episode, we discuss the changing transatlantic relationship, amid US tariff threats and the EU's white paper on defence. We then cover the biggest protests in Serbia since the regime of Slobodan Milošević.

In this episode, we look at how democratic countries need to act when tackling illiberalism. We breakdown the Romanian government's decision to ban far-right frontrunner Cǎlin Georgescu from the May elections, and then respond to a recent report titled ‘When Democrats Govern Undemocratically: The Case of Poland' – with input from Matthew Boyse, the report's author and a former senior foreign service officer under Donald Trump 1.0.

In this episode, we break down regional reactions to the now infamous meeting between Donald Trump, JD Vance and Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Oval Office. We also look at why it was a mistake not to invite the Baltics to the Ukraine Summit in London.

In this episode, we break down election results in Germany, growing Trump administration pressure on Ukraine, as well as the EU's upcoming Clean Industrial Deal. Wojciech Przybylski joins from the Yalta Conference in Kyiv, and we hear from special guest David Criekemans – a distinguished Professor of International Relations and Specialist in Geopolitics from Antwerp University.

In this episode, we digest the outcomes of a chaotic Munich Security Conference, including reactions from around Central and Eastern Europe - and expectations for EU defence after an emergency summit in Paris.

This is the second episode of a two-part series, where we look at the hopes and fears of countries in Central and Eastern Europe regarding the potential outcomes of German elections on 23 February. It is hosted byGoran Buldioski and includes special guestsMarzenna Guz-Vetter,Zuzana Lizcová,Péter Krekó,Tomás Strážay,Alina Inayeh,Vessela Tcherneva andMárta Pardavi.We hope you enjoy, and sign up for a number of online talks we'll be running on the State of Germany after the elections by clicking this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGJL5GkZbasArUcdi9yP3HuyBQxtT3FAMJTqHlsNf6YdmqxQ/viewform 

This is the first episode of a two-part series, where we look at the current relations between Germany and countries in Central and Eastern Europe ahead of German elections on 23 February. It is hosted by Goran Buldioski and includes special guests Marzenna Guz-Vetter, Zuzana Lizcová, Péter Krekó, Tomás Strážay, Alina Inayeh, Vessela Tcherneva and Márta Pardavi.Stay tuned for Part II, and sign up for a number of online talks we'll be running on the State of Germany after the elections: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGJL5GkZbasArUcdi9yP3HuyBQxtT3FAMJTqHlsNf6YdmqxQ/viewform

In this episode, we look at a week of important gatherings on European defence, culminating with an Ursula Von der Leyen visit to Poland and the specially chosen port city of Gdansk. Related Weekly Outlook: https://visegradinsight.eu/eu-focus-on-security-in-gdansk-rutte-urges-war-readiness/

In this episode, we look at what to expect next in Slovakia in the wake of country-wide demonstrations – which saw 100,000 Slovaks protest against the government of Robert Fico – and ahead of another upcoming motion of no-confidence. We are joined by special guests Beata Balogová, editor-in-chief of SME daily, one of the most popular broadsheets in Slovakia, and Rasťo Kužel, a media and election expert and director at MEMO 98. Click here to read the related Weekly Outlook: https://visegradinsight.eu/from-freedom-square-to-europe-civil-society-rises-against-slovakias-pro-russian-turn/

In this episode, we break down the Central European response to Donald Trump's inauguration and why economic security will dominate much of this year and beyond.

In this episode, we explore the run-up to Donald Trump's inauguration on 20 January, including the Baltic response to his comments on Greenland, and the Biden administration's final US sanctions. We then look at growing signs that the Polish presidential race is heating up!

In this episode, we dive into Poland's decision to uninvite Hungary from the gala opening of its EUCO Presidency – and why this is about far more than a political spat. Read more in the Weekly Outlook: https://visegradinsight.eu/tusk-slams-door-in-hungarys-face-to-kick-off-eu-presidency/

In this episode, the hosts offer their account of the pitfalls and triumphs of European democracy in 2024 and look ahead to 2025 - the year that will test the European Democracy Shield initiative in the making. References: Our latest EU Values Foresight report ⁠https://visegradinsight.eu/eu-values-foresight/2024-shielding-european-democracy/⁠ European Democracy Shield Needs Defence Posture - Policy Brief ⁠https://visegradinsight.eu/reports/⁠

In this episode, we delve into the murky waters of Democracy Information Manipulation and Interference (DIMI) in Europe. With Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's controversial trip to Moscow, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's meddling in Polish politics, and the traces of an illegal TikTok campaign in Romania, we ask the pressing question: who is the leading DIMI in Europe? Join us as we uncover the intricate web of political manoeuvres, foreign influence, and digital manipulation shaping the European political landscape. BONUS INTERVIEW: A conversation with Christian Lequesne, a renowned French professor from SciencesPo about the importance of Paris embracing future EU enlargement. In this exclusive interview with Wojciech Przybylski, Lequesne proposes how to reframe the debate in France and the west of Europe.

Visegrad Insight editors Wojciech Przybylski and Staś Kaleta break down Viktor Orbán and Robert Fico's recent dive into geopolitics and peace talks – and how long their influence might last. European Enlargement Fellow Jan Farfal then interviews Erik Jones, Director of the Robert Schuman Centre at the European University Institute, on EU strategy for the return of Donald Trump. Read the interview here: https://visegradinsight.eu/a-win-win-strategy-how-europe-can-turn-trumps-trade-tariffs-into-cooperation/

 Visegrad Insight editors Wojciech Przybylski and Staś Kaleta look at the decision of Romania's constitutional court to rerun the country's presidential elections – through the lens of our recent ‘Shielding European Democracy' report.  They then break down the latest Weekly Outlook, including Sergey Lavrov's first visit to Europe since February 2022, Volodymyr Zelensky's trip to Paris and lots more. 

In this episode, we explore Romania's election campaign, discuss the dilemma between foreign and domestic interference with insights from the latest EU Values report (Shielding European Democracy) and welcome back Alina Inayeh, Marcin Król Fellow, after a brief hiatus. URL: https://visegradinsight.eu/eu-values-foresight/2024-shielding-european-democracy/

Visegrad Insight editors Wojciech Przybylski and Staś Kaleta break down our Weekly Outlook, including the surprise lead of a far-right candidate in Romania's presidential elections, and the naming of presidential candidates in Poland. Europe Enlargement Fellow Jan Farfał then interviews Veton Surroi, a Kosovar Albanian publicist, politician and journalist, on the Western Balkans under Donald Trump 2.0 and more. URL: https://visegradinsight.eu/romanias-presidential-surprise-far-right-georgescu-or-pro-eu-lasconi/

Visegrad Insight Editors Wojciech Przybylski and Staś Kaleta examine Warsaw's place in European decision-making, what Joe Biden's missile update changes for Ukraine, political dynamics in Slovakia - and the latest from our Weekly Outlook. URL: https://visegradinsight.eu/1k-days-of-war-poland-rallies-leaders-to-revamp-european-security/

Wojciech Przybylski and Staś Kaleta discuss Central European reactions to Donald Trump's victory, Radosław Sikorski vs Rafał Trzaskowski in the ruling party primaries for the 2025 presidential race and more from our latest Weekly Outlook.

Visegrad Insight Editors Wojciech Przybylski and Staś Kaleta discuss Central European responses to Georgian elections, Donald Tusk's visit to Belgrade, the unofficial start of the 2026 election campaign in Hungary - and all the latest from our Weekly Outlook. URL: https://visegradinsight.eu/georgia-has-orbans-dream-come-true-eu-yet-to-respond/

Visegrad Insight's Editor-in-Chief Wojciech Przybylski comments on voting results in Moldova, after Editor Staś Kaleta breaks down our Weekly Outlook – as the EU backs Donald Tusk's migration plan, the Polish PM visits Belgrade and the V4 struggles to end its dependency on Russian oil. Then, Staś Kaleta and Stephanie Fenkart, Director at the International Institute for Peace, discuss the reality and direction of ‘peace' negotiations and victory plans at the Europe Future Forum.  URL: https://visegradinsight.eu/moldova-votes-for-eu-membership-but-will-russian-interference-stop-sandu/

Visegrad Insight Editor-in-Chief Wojciech Przybylski and editor Staś Kaleta break down Tusk's decision to seek legal provisions for member states to temporarily suspend asylum rights – as well as more news from our Weekly Outlook. Then, Staś Kaleta and Srdjan Cvijić, President of the International Advisory Committee of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, discuss Serbia, Kosovo and the Western Balkans' accession prospects – ten years after the Berlin Process began. URL: https://visegradinsight.eu/border-control-tusk-wants-the-eu-to-withhold-some-asylum-rights/

Visegrad Insight Editor Staś Kaleta met with Margus Kolga, Director General at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, at the Europe Future Forum to discuss the new role of Kaja Kallas, how Estonia and Ukraine can lead digitisation in Europe, increasingly close Baltic-Polish relations and wider security in the region.

Visegrad Insight sat down with Alicja Bachulska and Janka Oertel, two of Europe's leading experts on China and co-authors of The Idea of China, a book published by the European Council on Foreign Relations, to discuss the significance of the EU's decision on EV tariffs and its impact on the EU's geoeconomic strategy. Wojciech Przybylski interviews them while Staś Kaleta narrates the most interesting points from our fresh weekly outlook: https://visegradinsight.eu/poland-votes-for-eu-autonomy-from-chinas-electric-cars-against-berlin-budapest-and-bratislava/

How Europe should navigate a renewed conflict in the Middle East? Visegrad Insight sat down with Florence Gaub, Director of the Research Division at the NATO Defense College in Rome and an acclaimed security expert leading foresight-based analysis of international relations, to discuss the shifting geopolitical alignments and consequences of the Middle East on the brink of war.

Visegrad Insight Editor Staś Kaleta sits down with Rosa Balfour, Director at Carnegie Europe, during the Europe Future Forum to discuss the rising far-right in Europe, the EU's changing position in the world and the role enlargement has therein – as well as lots more from the latest ⁠Weekly Outlook⁠.  URL: https://visegradinsight.eu/austrian-far-right-victory-will-energise-central-european-nationalists/

Editor Staś Kaleta interviews Joséphine Staron, Director of Studies and International Relations at Synopia, to explore how France's new government, reliant on far-right support for a majority, may approach the EU's enlargement agenda.

Visegrad Insight Editor-in-Chief Wojciech Przybylski and Editor Staś Kaleta discuss differing opinions on Chinese EVs in central Europe ahead of a crucial vote this week, what the results of regional elections mean for Czechia – and lots more from the latest Weekly Outlook. url: https://visegradinsight.eu/a-fork-in-the-road-central-europe-split-on-chinese-ev-tariffs/

Visegrad Insight contributing editor Albín Sybera sits down with Marcin Król Fellow Matej Šimalčík and Miroslava Pisklová, Research Fellow at the Slovak Foreign Policy Association, to discuss the bombshell dismissal of Michal Šimečka from his parliamentary post. He is then joined by Eduard Hulicius, Deputy Minister at the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to discuss Czechia's EU portfolio and this week's local elections. Both interviews were conducted at Visegrad Insight's Europe Future Forum in Warsaw this week. Click here to read more about the portfolios: https://visegradinsight.eu/portfolio-decisions-poland-ready-to-lead-a-new-europe/

Visegrad Insight Editor-in-Chief Wojciech Przybylski and Jacques Delors Centre Deputy Director Thu Nguyen discuss the prospects of EU enlargement over the next five years, ahead of our Europe Future Forum next week. Staś Kaleta then joins to discuss increasingly illiberal practices in Slovakia – and lots more from our latest Weekly Outlook.

Visegrad Insight editors Wojciech Przybylski and Staś Kaleta examine the ways in which autocrats from Poland, Hungary and Slovakia manipulate election processes, how Budapest has been helping to smuggle American equipment into Russia, why a Donald Tusk/Piotr Serafin duo could fill a vacuum in the EU – and lots more from our latest Weekly Outlook. URL: https://visegradinsight.eu/law-and-justice-election-fraud-what-next-from-cees-civil-society-oppressors/

Wojciech Przybylski and Miles R. Maftean explore how disinformation actors exploit loopholes to fuel their operations and profit financially. They also discuss the European Union's escalating efforts to combat this growing threat, from new regulations under the Digital Services Act to high-stakes battles with tech giants like Meta or Twitter.

Wojciech Przybylski and Visegrad Insight editor Staś Kaleta break down coverage of the Nord Stream drama, as well as the latest on the Kursk incursion, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to CEE, protests in Bratislava – and all the latest outlined in our Weekly Outlook. Weekly Outlook url: https://visegradinsight.eu/indian-pm-modi-visits-warsaw-and-kyiv-amid-europes-internal-strengthening-efforts/

Visegrad Insight editor-in-chief Wojciech Przybylski and editor Staś Kaleta discuss several strategic narratives at play around the world, relating to shifts in focus from the Middle East to Ukraine, a Kamala Harris-Tim Walz duo, defence plans in Poland and much more – as outlined in our Weekly Outlook. As the Paris games come to a close, not without some controversies, also read about the most notorious Visegrad olympians in modern history – involved in silent protests, doping scandals, and gender controversies.

Wojciech Przybylski talks with Visegrad Insight editor Staś Kaleta about several of the critical developments shaping CEE politics this week, including mixed responses to an international prisoner exchange, weaponisation of gender controversies at the Olympics, Ukraine's diplomacy with the Global South and much more – as outlined in our Weekly Outlook.

Wojciech Przybylski talks with Visegrad Insight Fellow and Central European correspondent for Die Welt Philipp Fritz about Hungary's decision to allow Russians and Belarusians into their 'national card' programme, which European defence experts warn could lead to increased espionage or destabilising actions against EU democracies.

Join Wojciech Przybylski and bestselling author and historian Jason Steinhauer as they explore how digital and social networks have disrupted history, the ways autocrats around the world exploit these disruptions and strategies to combat these non-democratic tactics. Jason Steinhauer's book - History, Disrupted: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-85117-0 Website: https://www.jasonsteinhauer.com/

Wojciech Przybylski talks with Hungarian journalist Viktória Serdült about PM Viktor Orbán's meetings with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping as well as his success in forming the Patriots for Europe group in the EU parliament.