China’s role in the Western Balkans is changing. Once associated primarily with infrastructure projects, loans and the Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing is increasingly turning towards AI, digital technologies, telecommunications and deeper political partnerships with Serbia at the centre of its regional presence.In this Deep Dive, Alexandra Karppi speaks with Stefan Vladisavljev, Programme Director at Foundation BFPE in Belgrade, about what China actually wants from the Western Balkans and what countries like Serbia gain from the relationship.They discuss why Serbia has become China’s closest partner in the region, Chinese investment and access to raw materials, Beijing’s position on Kosovo, the growing presence of Chineseworkers and tourists, Serbian public opinion towards China, and concerns surrounding surveillance technology, transparency and political influence.The conversation also asks a bigger question: are we looking at China in the region clearly — or are we still caught between fear-mongering and overly positive narratives?BONUS FOR PATRONS: Stefan stays with us for an extendedconversation looking beyond the Western Balkans to China’s evolving role across Central and Eastern Europe. They discuss why Beijing prefers bilateral relationships, Europe’s difficulty developing a common approach towards China, and why AI, digital cooperation and technology could define the next phase of China’s engagement with the region. TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction01:11 What is China doing in the Western Balkans?04:56 From Belt and Road to AI and digital technology06:33 China’s political interests, Kosovo and Serbia10:17 Why Serbia has become China’s key regional partner17:11 Chinese tourism and workers in Serbia22:17 China, Serbia and a changing Hungary25:23 What do Serbians actually think about China?28:53 Surveillance, transparency and the risks of Chinese technology32:29 Bonus conversation for Patrons – China’s role in the wider regionTalk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europe magazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space. ABOUT THIS PODCASTAvailable on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all major platforms.Read the New Eastern Europe Magazine Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis. https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/ Support us on PatreonJoin our community for bonus content, early access, behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time.https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeSubscribe to the Brief Eastern Europe NewsletterWeekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates, expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribeFOLLOW USInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/

A major verdict has been handed down in The Hague: formerKosovo president Hashim Thaçi has been found guilty of war crimes and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Adam and Alexandra discuss what the ruling could mean for Kosovo, its politics and the wider debate over transitional justice in the Western Balkans.We also look at a new wave of repression against independent voices in Azerbaijan, devastating wildfires in Croatia, and the latest BRICS summit in New Delhi – where Russia’s war against Ukraine was notably absent from the final declaration.Finally, we return to growing security concerns on NATO’s eastern flank, including reports of a Russian drone entering Lithuanian airspace, an attack drone washing ashore in Poland, and recent attacks on railway infrastructure near the Polish-Ukrainian border.In the extended version of the podcast, for Patrons only,Adam reflects on the developments in the region over the last 15 years, in the context of the latest issue of New Eastern Europe which is commemorating the magazine’s 15 years of publication.Get access to the full episode and support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeTIMESTAMPS00:00 – Intro01:20 – Hashim Thaçi found guilty: what happens next in Kosovo?06:10 – Azerbaijan’s crackdown on independent voices10:32 – Wildfires hit Croatia’s Brač Island12:08 – Brief Eastern Europe12:00 – BRICS summit: Ukraine disappears from the declaration14:12 – China, BRICS and the Global South16:31 – New security alarms on NATO’s eastern flank18:34 – New Eastern Europe celebrates 15 years

Kosovo is facing a critical moment. As the verdict approaches in the war crimes trial of former president Hashim Thaçi and other senior Kosovo Liberation Army figures, questions over justice, accountability and the legacy of the Kosovo war have returned to the centre of public debate.In this Deep Dive, Alexandra Karppi speaks with Arber Ahmeti, doctoral candidate at the University of Vienna specialising in transitional justice and the Kosovo Specialist Chambers. They discuss why the Specialist Chambers were established in The Hague, why they remain so controversial in Kosovo, and whether their work has helped or hindered reconciliation and transitional justice.They also examine Kosovo’s continuing political gridlock, its impact on relations with the European Union and the United States, and what the country’s domestic instability means for its international ambitions.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:50 Why the Thaçi trial matters01:24 The Kosovo war and the origins of the Specialist Chambers03:48 Previous attempts to prosecute war crimes07:13 Why the Specialist Chambers remain controversial09:27 The problem of one-sided justice11:49 Why has the verdict been delayed?13:27 How could Kosovo react to a guilty verdict?17:32 Could the verdict reshape Kosovo’s politics?19:54 Kosovo’s unresolved accountability gap20:14 Has transitional justice failed?23:27 Kosovo’s political deadlock explained26:39 What the crisis means for Kosovo’s EU and international ambitionsSupport us on PatreonJoin our community for bonus content, early access,behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time.https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeRead the New Eastern Europe Magazine Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis.https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/Subscribe to the Brief Eastern Europe NewsletterWeekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates,expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribeFOLLOW USInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/

Donald Trump’s latest attempt to revive negotiations over Russia’s war against Ukraine has produced plenty of meetings but little sign of a breakthrough. Adam and Alexandra discuss Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff’s latest diplomacy with Moscow and Kyiv, Vladimir Putin’s demands, and why the fundamental obstacles to any peace deal remain unchanged.Meanwhile, Russia’s intensifying drone campaign is increasingly spilling beyond Ukraine’s borders, raising concerns ahead of another difficult winter. We also turn to mass protests in Croatia over a hazardous waste and corruption scandal, growing pressure on protesters and activists in Albania, Serbia’s increasingly fraught relationship with the EU, Aleksandar Vučić’s new podcast – and what the AfD’s electoral success in eastern Germany could mean for Ukraine and Europe’s political future.Timestamps00:00 Intro02:07 Trump’s Ukraine peace push gets another restart03:46 Trump, Putin and Luke Harding’s new book04:31 Russia’s drone war escalates ahead of winter06:25 Zelenskyy’s plane reportedly has a near miss07:00 Croatia rocked by hazardous waste scandal10:00 Albania protests approach 100 days11: 59 Ratko Mladić’s funeral and Brussels’ response14:07 Aleksandar Vučić launches a podcast16:06 AfD victory in eastern Germany18:30 Patreon and closing remarksTalk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europe magazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space.Read the New Eastern Europe Magazine Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis. https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/ Support us on PatreonJoin our community for bonus content, early access, behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time.https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeSubscribe to the Brief Eastern Europe NewsletterWeekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates, expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribeFOLLOW USInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/

Award-winning journalist and author Luke Harding joins Talk Eastern Europe to discuss his new book, Betrayal: Trump, Putin, and the New Age of Conquest and what it tells us about Russia’s war against Ukraine, Donald Trump’s relationship with Vladimir Putin, and the erosion of the post-war international order.Speaking with Adam Reichardt, Harding reflects on the manyforms of “betrayal” at the heart of the book: the changing US approach towards Ukraine, the weakening of the transatlantic relationship, and the broader challenge to the idea that sovereignty, international law and borders still matter.The conversation also examines Trump’s unusual relationship with Putin, the prospects for peace in Ukraine, Russia’s continued attacks on Ukrainian civilians, Ukraine’s growing long-range drone capabilities, and the expanding campaign of sabotage and political interference across Europe.Harding argues that Europe needs to stop treating these threats as something short of war. He also considers whether Russia could eventually test NATO’s Article 5; and what might finally bring the Putin era to an end.Luke Harding’s new book: Betrayal: Trump, Putin, and the New Age of Conquest. Order it online here: https://www.faber.co.uk/product/9781783353378-betrayal/Read the review on New Eastern Europe: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2026/08/28/show-me-your-friend/ABOUT THIS PODCASTWe publish twice weekly!Every Tuesday: Expert Interviews featuring deep dives with leading analysts, journalists, and scholarsEvery Friday: Weekly News Roundup with essential updates and commentary on the latest developmentsAvailable on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all major platforms.Read the New Eastern Europe MagazineBimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis. https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/Support us on PatreonJoin our community for bonus content, early access, behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time. https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeSubscribe to the Brief Eastern Europe NewsletterWeekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates, expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribeFOLLOW USInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/

Russia’s war against Ukraine intensified over the summer, with increasingly sustained drone and missile attacks raising new questions about what comes next and whether Moscow’s confrontation with the West could extend beyond Ukraine. In this week’s Talk Eastern Europe News Roundup, Alexandra Karppi and Adam Reichardt discuss the latest wave of Russian attacks on Ukraine, CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s reported visit to Moscow and growing concerns about Russian operations against NATO countries. They also look at Germany’s accusations of Russian involvement in a suspected sabotage plot near Leipzig airport.Turning to the Western Balkans, Alexandra and Adam discuss the death of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić and the troubling glorification of his legacy in parts of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. They also look ahead to Serbia’s newly announced parliamentary elections, the challenge posed by the student-led opposition movement to Aleksandar Vučić’s ruling party, and a new effort in the US Congress that could pave the way for sanctions against Serbian officials.Finally, they preview this week’s Deep Dive with Professor James Ker-Lindsay on Russia, European security, Serbia, Turkey and the changing geopolitical landscape.In our extended version, for Patrons only, Adam and Alexandra reflect upon their summers in the United States and the overall mood there. Become a patron of the podcast to listen to this and get other great benefits: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeRead more on the death of Ratko Mladić and its impact on the upcoming Serbian election: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2026/09/04/ratko-mladic-is-dead-his-nationalist-legacy-lives-on/

We are back after our August break! In this episode of the Talk Eastern Europe Deep Dive, Alexandra Karppi speaks with James Ker-Lindsay, professor and specialist on conflict, security and diplomacy, with particular expertise on the Western Balkans. They discuss the increasingly complicated geopolitical landscape across the Balkans and wider Eastern Europe.The conversation covers the stalled political processes in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro’s progress towards EU membership, and the growing divergence between Washington and Brussels over how to approach the region. They also examine the Trump administration’s hanging engagement with the Balkans and why US business interests appear to be playing a larger role in its regional policy.Alexandra and James also look at Russia’s war against Ukraine, Moscow’s influence in the region and the possibility of increasingly aggressive hybrid operations against NATO members, particularly the Baltic states and Poland. Finally, they explore Turkey’s increasingly independent foreign policy, its relationship with Russia and the United States, and why Ankara – alongside Belgrade and Baku – has become an increasingly important player in the emerging geopolitical order.Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europemagazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space.ABOUT THIS PODCASTWe publish twice weekly!Every Tuesday: Expert Interviews featuring deep dives with leading analysts, journalists, and scholarsEvery Friday: Weekly News Roundup with essential updates and commentary on the latest developmentsAvailable on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all majorplatforms.Read the New Eastern Europe Magazine Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis.https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/Support us on PatreonJoin our community for bonus content, early access,behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time. https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeSubscribe to the Brief Eastern Europe NewsletterWeekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates,expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribeFOLLOW USInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/

Russia’s war against Ukraine is being fought not only on thebattlefield, but also in the information space.In this Talk Eastern Europe deep dive, Adam Reichardt speaks with Ukrainian media professional, researcher and YouTube creator Anna Danylchuk, better known as Anna from Ukraine. Since March 2022, Anna has provided daily English-language updates explaining how the Russian invasion affects ordinary Ukrainians—and challenging the myths and propaganda that continue to shape Western perceptions of the war.Anna discusses why Russian disinformation remains effective,how the Kremlin exploits fear of escalation and nuclear war, and why outdated assumptions about Russian power can lead western governments towards the wrong policies.She also explains how Ukrainian drones and missiles are bringing the consequences of the war inside Russia, why Russia’s military and economic weaknesses are becoming increasingly visible, and how Ukrainians continue to adapt to missile attacks, power cuts and another potentially difficult winter.Is Ukraine gaining the upper hand? Why have negotiationsrepeatedly failed? And what does the West still misunderstand about Russia?ABOUT THIS PODCASTWe publish twice weekly:- Every Tuesday: Expert Interviews featuring deep dives withleading analysts, journalists, and scholars- Every Friday: Weekly News Roundup with essential updatesand commentary on the latest developmentsAvailable on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all majorplatforms. Read the New Eastern Europe Magazine Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis.https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/Support us on PatreonJoin our community for bonus content, early access, behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time.https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeSubscribe to the Brief Eastern Europe NewsletterWeekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates,expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribeFOLLOW USInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/

In this week’s news roundup, Talk Eastern Europe co-hosts Adam Reichardt and Aleksandra Karppi provide the latest developments in the region.Firstly, Ukraine has replaced its commander-in-chief in oneof the biggest wartime leadership changes since Russia's full scale invasion, sparking debate about military reform, democracy during wartime, and the future of Ukraine's defence strategy.Meanwhile, reports of secret meetings between Russian andGerman representatives in Azerbaijan have raised fresh questions about Europe's approach to Russia and the future of the war.We also head to the Balkans, where Kosovo remains trapped in political deadlock after coalition talks collapsed, while Serbia's student movement has overtaken President Aleksandar Vučić's party in the latest opinion polls—potentially reshaping the country's political future. In our extended version of the podcast goes even deeper intopolitical developments in Serbia, available exclusively to the patrons of the podcast.👉 Support Talk Eastern Europe on Patreon: https://patreon.com/talkeasterneurope🌍 Read New Eastern Europe: https://neweasterneurope.eu🎙️ Subscribe for weekly analysis of Central & Eastern Europe, Ukraine, Russia, the Balkans, EU politics, NATO, security, democracy and geopolitics.FOLLOW USInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/

With Andrej Babiš back in power, Czechia’s civil society is warning the country may follow Hungary and Slovakia down an authoritarian path.In this Talk Eastern Europe Deep Dive, Nina Pániková speaks with Mikuláš Minář, founder and chairman of Million Moments for Democracy, at the UNLOCK Summit in Prague.Minář recounts how a single moment before the 2017 Czech election transformed him from a philosophy student into one of the country’s most prominent civic activists. He explains how Million Moments for Democracy mobilized hundreds of thousands of people, helped strengthen democratic participation ahead of the 2021 election and became an inspiration for civic movements elsewhere in Europe.The conversation examines Andrej Babiš’s return to power, threats to Czech public media and civil society, the role of opposition parties and the danger of the Czech Republic following the political trajectory of Viktor Orbán’s Hungary or Robert Fico’s Slovakia.Minář also explains why protest alone is no longer enough, why civic movements must remain independent while still engaging with politicians, and how small everyday actions can generate the collective power needed to protect democracy.Can grassroots activism once again change the direction of Czech politics?Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europe magazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space.ABOUT THIS PODCASTWe publish twice weekly:- Every Tuesday: Expert Interviews featuring deep dives with leading analysts, journalists, and scholars- Every Friday: Weekly News Roundup with essential updates and commentary on the latest developmentsAvailable on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all major platforms.Read the New Eastern Europe Magazine Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis. https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/Support us on PatreonJoin our community for bonus content, early access, behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time.https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeSubscribe to the Brief Eastern Europe NewsletterWeekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates, expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribeFOLLOW USInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/