The Political Periscope
The Political Periscope offers weekly interviews about politics, geopolitics, economy and more, from the perspective of the eastern flank of NATO, in the context of the war in Ukraine. The weekly podcast is created by Radio Wnet, stationed in Warsaw, Poland. The interviews are conducted by journalists of the Radio Wnet in Warsaw, Kiyv, Lviv, Beirut, Dublin, Vilnius, London, Taipei, Medellin, the Balkans and more. Our guests are mainly european politicians and experts in security and military.Radio Wnet is an independent media created in 2009 on the basis of the ideas of freedom and responsibility. From the very beginning of the war in Ukraine in 2014 the station provides quality information from eastern europe and concentrates on the subject of security.
Egils Levits, President of Latvia: the fact that the Russian military is all-powerful has proven to be a myth
2022-07-14 19:00:00
Interview with Egils Levits, President of Latvia. We discussed war in Ukraine. President of Latvia talked about possibility of Ukraine becoming a EU member. Moreover we talked about NATO enlargement and Russian propaganda in Latvia. The topic, which was brought up concerned possible trial in International Criminal Court in Hague regarding war crimes in Ukraine. This interview was concluded in Riga, on 19th of May, by Krzysztof Skowroński. Support the show
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Interview with Egils Levits, President of Latvia. We discussed war in Ukraine. President of Latvia talked about possibility of Ukraine becoming a EU member. Moreover we talked about NATO enlargement and Russian propaganda in Latvia. The topic, which was brought up concerned possible trial in International Criminal Court in Hague regarding war crimes in Ukraine.
This interview was concluded in Riga, on 19th of May, by Krzysztof Skowroński.
Professor Javier Gil Pérez: If China wants to stop the war, it can do it. It can stop buying any natural resources from Russia
2022-07-07 19:00:00
Professor Javier Gil Pérez from Comillas Pontifical University in Madrid, a specialist in international relations and Pacific region is commenting the NATO summit, how its location in Spain affected the topics touched during the summit, the growing role of China and Indo-Pacific region in global security. We are also discussing Russian interference in Catalonian separatism, the attitude of Spaniards and Spanish government towards the war in Ukraine, NATO and the US. This interview was concluded by Piotr Mateusz Bobołowicz. Support the show
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Professor Javier Gil Pérez from Comillas Pontifical University in Madrid, a specialist in international relations and Pacific region is commenting the NATO summit, how its location in Spain affected the topics touched during the summit, the growing role of China and Indo-Pacific region in global security. We are also discussing Russian interference in Catalonian separatism, the attitude of Spaniards and Spanish government towards the war in Ukraine, NATO and the US.
This interview was concluded by Piotr Mateusz Bobołowicz.
Jessikka Aro, Finnish Journalist author of a non-fiction book Putin's Trolls
2022-07-06 19:00:00
Interview with Jessikka Aro, Finnish Journalist, author of a non-fiction book Putin’s Trolls . We talk about Russian journalists who fight with Russian propaganda. Our guest says that exposing Russian propaganda and sharing awareness is the goal for each and every journalist. J. Aro explains how the disinformation works. This interview was concluded in Bratislava, on the 4th of June 2022, by Piotr Mateusz Bobołowicz. Support the show
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Interview with Jessikka Aro, Finnish Journalist, author of a non-fiction book Putin’s Trolls.
We talk about Russian journalists who fight with Russian propaganda. Our guest says that exposing Russian propaganda and sharing awareness is the goal for each and every journalist. J. Aro explains how the disinformation works.
This interview was concluded in Bratislava, on the 4th of June 2022, by Piotr Mateusz Bobołowicz.
Velizar Shalamanov, former Bulgarian minister of defense: Bulgaria is not a soft target anymore
2022-06-30 19:00:00
Interview with Velizar Shalamanov, former Bulgarian minister of defense. Shalamanov describes the difference between the position of the Bulgarian government, and the people’s views regarding the support for Ukraine as well as the President’s ambiguous statements. He emphasizes on the peoples’ division due to a very active and effective Russian disinformation campaign. Shalamanov underlines the importance of the recent actions started by the Bulgarian government aiming to create a specialized unit focused on fighting russian disinformation. The Minister also discusses the government's efforts and desires to increase international cooperation in defense matters on different international scales. Shalamanov also mentions Finland and Sweden’s candidacy to join NATO. The interview was recorded in Sofia, on the 6th of June 2022 by Piotr Mateusz Bobołowicz . Support the show
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Interview with Velizar Shalamanov, former Bulgarian minister of defense. Shalamanov describes the difference between the position of the Bulgarian government, and the people’s views regarding the support for Ukraine as well as the President’s ambiguous statements. He emphasizes on the peoples’ division due to a very active and effective Russian disinformation campaign. Shalamanov underlines the importance of the recent actions started by the Bulgarian government aiming to create a specialized unit focused on fighting russian disinformation.
The Minister also discusses the government's efforts and desires to increase international cooperation in defense matters on different international scales. Shalamanov also mentions Finland and Sweden’s candidacy to join NATO.
The interview was recorded in Sofia, on the 6th of June 2022 by Piotr Mateusz Bobołowicz.
Balazs Orban, Member of the National Assembly of Hungary: Hungary hosts second largest number of Ukrainian refugees
2022-06-30 19:00:00
Interview with Balazs Orban member of the National Assembly of Hungary. Orban underlines the support of his country for Ukraine in the ongoing war as he distinguishes himself by exposing a different vision of the war’s ending. Orban explains as well why the sanctions on Russian gas won’t bring any positive outcomes. He also emphasizes the importance of a united EU stating that the alliance should focus first on ending the war rather than integrating Ukraine in current coalitions. The interview took place in Budapest, on the 13th of June 2022 by Piotr Mateusz Bobołowicz . Support the show
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Interview with Balazs Orban member of the National Assembly of Hungary. Orban underlines the support of his country for Ukraine in the ongoing war as he distinguishes himself by exposing a different vision of the war’s ending.
Orban explains as well why the sanctions on Russian gas won’t bring any positive outcomes. He also emphasizes the importance of a united EU stating that the alliance should focus first on ending the war rather than integrating Ukraine in current coalitions.
The interview took place in Budapest, on the 13th of June 2022 by Piotr Mateusz Bobołowicz.
Vladimir Milov, former Russian deputy minister of Energy: Russia is an unreliable partner
2022-06-30 19:00:00
Interview with Vladimir Milov, a former Russian deputy minister of Energy. He discusses the situation of European countries dependent on Russian energetic resources. He considers the Kremlin as an unreliable partner that is able to play its European business associates. V. Milov warns Western countries on their future collaboration with Moscow regarding energetic resources. Finally, the consequences of the sanctions put on Russia are partially mentioned, in particular those linked to the import decline of new technologies that may impact the quality of life. The interview was recorded in Bratislava, on the 3rd of June 2022 by Piotr Mateusz Bobołowicz . Support the show
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Interview with Vladimir Milov, a former Russian deputy minister of Energy. He discusses the situation of European countries dependent on Russian energetic resources. He considers the Kremlin as an unreliable partner that is able to play its European business associates. V. Milov warns Western countries on their future collaboration with Moscow regarding energetic resources.
Finally, the consequences of the sanctions put on Russia are partially mentioned, in particular those linked to the import decline of new technologies that may impact the quality of life.
The interview was recorded in Bratislava, on the 3rd of June 2022 by Piotr Mateusz Bobołowicz.
Elena Poptodorova, former ambassador of Bulgaria in the US: Even if Putin is replaced Russia won’t change much
2022-06-30 19:00:00
Interview with Elena Poptodorova former ambassador of Bulgaria in the US. Our guest compares Bulgaria’s actual situation with the one that took place 30 years ago, when the country was fighting for a NATO membership. She underlines that the Russian aggression on Ukraine has brought Bulgaria back to fighting on its own battlefield. Poptodorova also mentions the profound division of Bulgaria’s public opinion as an issue and the way it influences the government’s support for Ukraine. A short comparison has been made with Serbia in geographical terms and the way it influences the relation to Russia. She also expressed herself on her country’s lack of a strong political foundation, emphasizing on the importance of solidifying the rule of law and the judicial system linking its frailty to its historical origins. Our guest also mentioned the evolution of Russian political communication since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, in particular Lavrov’s interventions. Finally, Poptodorova emphasized on the importance for Western leaders to comprehend the Russian logic in order to be able to think in a similar way. The interview was recorded in Sofia, on the 6th of June 2022 by Krzysztof Skowroński . Support the show
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Interview with Elena Poptodorova former ambassador of Bulgaria in the US. Our guest compares Bulgaria’s actual situation with the one that took place 30 years ago, when the country was fighting for a NATO membership. She underlines that the Russian aggression on Ukraine has brought Bulgaria back to fighting on its own battlefield.
Poptodorova also mentions the profound division of Bulgaria’s public opinion as an issue and the way it influences the government’s support for Ukraine. A short comparison has been made with Serbia in geographical terms and the way it influences the relation to Russia.
She also expressed herself on her country’s lack of a strong political foundation, emphasizing on the importance of solidifying the rule of law and the judicial system linking its frailty to its historical origins.
Our guest also mentioned the evolution of Russian political communication since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, in particular Lavrov’s interventions. Finally, Poptodorova emphasized on the importance for Western leaders to comprehend the Russian logic in order to be able to think in a similar way.
The interview was recorded in Sofia, on the 6th of June 2022 by Krzysztof Skowroński.
Simona Cojocaru, Secretary of State in the Romanian Defense Ministry: It is important to keep the course towards helping Ukraine
2022-06-30 19:00:00
Interview with Simona Cojocaru, the Secretary of State in the Romanian Defense Ministry. Cojocaru explains the Romanian preparations for the leadership summit of the Bucharest Nine emphasizing on the lately gained importance of these types of summits. Our guest explained as well how NATO’s presence should be increased on the Eastern flank of the organization, specifying that Romanians expect declarations of change in the general defense architecture. She also speaks about the war in Ukraine and how it affects Romanian security. She pointed out the potential threat to Romania from the Russian-occupied Snake Island that’s located only 40 kilometers away from the Romanian coast. Cojocaru said that the issue of Finland and Sweden's admission to NATO is being bent on by the prime minister and the Foreign Ministry. The interview was recorded in Bucharest, on the 10th of June 2022 by Krzysztof Skowroński . Support the show
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Interview with Simona Cojocaru, the Secretary of State in the Romanian Defense Ministry. Cojocaru explains the Romanian preparations for the leadership summit of the Bucharest Nine emphasizing on the lately gained importance of these types of summits.
Our guest explained as well how NATO’s presence should be increased on the Eastern flank of the organization, specifying that Romanians expect declarations of change in the general defense architecture. She also speaks about the war in Ukraine and how it affects Romanian security. She pointed out the potential threat to Romania from the Russian-occupied Snake Island that’s located only 40 kilometers away from the Romanian coast.
Cojocaru said that the issue of Finland and Sweden's admission to NATO is being bent on by the prime minister and the Foreign Ministry.
The interview was recorded in Bucharest, on the 10th of June 2022 by Krzysztof Skowroński.
Alar Karis, President of Estonia: We need permanent troops on the eastern flank
2022-06-30 19:00:00
Interview with Alar Karis, president of Estonia. Our guest speaks about the war in Ukraine and its possible scenarios. The only end-of-war scenario he is considering is a Ukrainian victory. He also speaks about the Estonian help for Ukrainian refugees and the military support his country provides to Ukraine. He states that Western countries must get involved in the war in Ukraine and provide help in any possible way. To him "this is Russia's war against democracy, against the Western world. It is also our war." Alar Karis also speaks about the security within NATO and European leadership. The interview was concluded in Tallinn on the 17th of May 2022, by Krzysztof Skowroński. Support the show
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Interview with Alar Karis, president of Estonia. Our guest speaks about the war in Ukraine and its possible scenarios. The only end-of-war scenario he is considering is a Ukrainian victory.
He also speaks about the Estonian help for Ukrainian refugees and the military support his country provides to Ukraine. He states that Western countries must get involved in the war in Ukraine and provide help in any possible way. To him "this is Russia's war against democracy, against the Western world. It is also our war."
Alar Karis also speaks about the security within NATO and European leadership.
The interview was concluded in Tallinn on the 17th of May 2022, by Krzysztof Skowroński.
Atis Lejins, Member of the Latvian Parliament: The Russian aggression leads to a new worldwide security architecture
2022-06-30 19:00:00
Interview with Atin Lejins member of the Latvian Parliament. During this interview the connoisseur of international relations explains the actual tasks faced by latvian diplomats. He also mentions his estimations regarding the end of the war in Ukraine. Lejins describes the significant deterioration of German-Russian relations due to the Russian aggression. He points out the consequences of this state of affairs for the Russian economy. The latvian MP mentions as well, the role his country should play in forein politics, insisting on the need to warn other governments against taking the declarations of the president of the Russian Federation seriously. The interview was concluded in Riga, on the 30th of May 2022, by Piot Mateusz Bobołowicz . Support the show
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Interview with Atin Lejins member of the Latvian Parliament. During this interview the connoisseur of international relations explains the actual tasks faced by latvian diplomats. He also mentions his estimations regarding the end of the war in Ukraine.
Lejins describes the significant deterioration of German-Russian relations due to the Russian aggression. He points out the consequences of this state of affairs for the Russian economy.
The latvian MP mentions as well, the role his country should play in forein politics, insisting on the need to warn other governments against taking the declarations of the president of the Russian Federation seriously.
The interview was concluded in Riga, on the 30th of May 2022, by Piot Mateusz Bobołowicz.