Can Europe become a genuine security union? Is it truly aware of the 21st-century geopolitical dangers that threaten its very existence? How central is Ukraine to Europe’s self-defense, and does the continent understand—and adapt to—the changing nature of modern warfare?

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This is the “Explaining Ukraine” podcast.

Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, chief editor of UkraineWorld, and president of PEN Ukraine.

Guest: Borja Lasheras, a Spanish book author and expert on Ukrainian and European security. Borja is an Associate Policy Fellow at the European Policy Institute in Kyiv (EPIK).

Explaining Ukraine is produced by UkraineWorld and brought to you by Internews Ukraine.

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Listen on various platforms: https://li.sten.to/explaining-ukraine

UkraineWorld: https://ukraineworld.org/en

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SUPPORT:

You can support our work on https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld

Your help is crucial, as we rely heavily on crowdfunding.

You can also contribute to our volunteer missions to frontline areas in Ukraine, where we deliver aid to both soldiers and civilians.

Donations are welcome via PayPal at: [email protected].

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CONTENTS:

00:27 - Borja Lasheras: a Spanish author and expert on Ukrainian and European security. The conversation is taking place in Kharkiv, 40 km from the Russian border, after overnight Russian shelling.

01:47 - Why it is important for experts to travel to Ukraine, as it "defies many expectations" and is a "beating heart," not just a victim of aggression.

06:03 - Lasheras discusses writing his book "Station Ukraine," which reflects his personal and professional evolution alongside Ukraine.

09:52 - Why Europe is in a hybrid war with Russia and can no longer rely on the US as before.

13:24 - Why it is necessary to define a new European security concept that includes Ukraine, as Ukraine is a "growing middle power" with an advanced defense industry.

15:40 - Can the European Union can become a military union? Why EU can be a key element but not necessarily replace NATO.

19:01 - Why Changing EU rules, such as moving to qualified majority voting, is challenging.

23:06 - A scenario of a "Europe of different speeds" or minilateral coalitions: is it possible?

26:25 - "Ukraine Facility": the European support has been significant and stable, unlike that from the US.

30:44 - Why technological cooperation is important, including instances of joint ventures and new programs aimed at integrating Ukraine's defense industrial base.

35:20 - Why it is important for Europe to use the technological impulse of the war to catch up with leaders in AI, electronics, and drones.

37:31 - Why awareness of Russia’s possible attack is growing across Europe.

40:03 - Why supporting Ukraine is a fundamental interest for European security