Promote Ukraine

Promote Ukraine

By Promote UkraineSociety & Culture
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Promote Ukraine episodes

  • Unlock Ukraine with President of EECS Christa Schweng: Support Ukraine, Challenges, and Future Prospect

    00:00 - Intro

    00:24 - How did you make a decision about hosting Ukrainian civil society here, in the comittee? What was your opinion about helping Ukrainians from the start of the war?
    02:58 - Do you see Ukraine as a member of the #EU? How is the EECS responding to this topic?
    03:57 - Do you feel any intensifications of support of Ukrainian civil society?
    04:38 - How do European Institutions help Ukrainian people in Brussels? What is the main idea of this help?
    06:27 - What is the future of the resolutions in support of Ukraine that were adopted last year? Does it also involve blocked Russian assets?
    07:40 - What were your expectations from your presidency? Was it distorted by what was constantly happening around?
    09:16 - Has the approach of the European Committee towards citizens changed during the COVID period and what exactly has changed since then?
    11:09 - Do the citizens of European Union have enough political power to put pressure on European Institutions for changing their decisions?
    12:03 - Looking back at your past experience, would you like to make a difference in the past or even pursue a career other than becoming #EESC President? Is there anything you would do more if you had enough time?
    14:12 - Are you traveling to meet other committee members? If not, what are the main reasons for your business trips? Are you doing this to see what the real situation is in other countries?
    15:50 - What challenges did you face on your path to leadership? Were there any problems because you are a woman?
    17:43 - Do you have any messages or wishes for Ukrainians? Would you like to inspire them for a future?
    18:31 - What do you think about citizens involvement into making democracy package legitimate in terms of defending from foreign interference? Should the citizens being empowered for that?
    21:23 - Do you plan to visit #Ukraine after the victory?
    21:42 - What are your plans for the future as a member of committee?

    23 min
  • Unlock Ukraine with 🇷🇴 MEP Vlad Gheorghe: Seizing Assets, Environmental Protection, Snake Island

    0:12 - Vlad discusses his initiative to seize assets from Russian oligarchs to fund Ukraine's reconstruction.

    3:32 - The European Union's criminalization of sanction circumvention is discussed.
    4:12 - Vlad delves into the challenges of his initiative, including finding legal grounds to seize Russian assets.
    5:49 - The conversation turns to what could be the legal trigger for seizing Russian assets.
    6:51 - The need for legal and political consensus to seize Russian assets is emphasized.
    8:19 - Vlad shares his opinion on the legal implications of Putin's ICC arrest warrant and the legitimacy of the Russian state.
    12:00 - The European Green Prosecutor is discussed as a game-changer for environmental protection in the EU and beyond.
    13:25 - Common environmental crimes in Europe and what Ukraine needs to know to join the EU are discussed.
    15:40 - The importance of environmental responsibility for survival is emphasized.
    16:20 - The question is raised if Ukraine is ready to meet the standards for EU membership.
    17:14 - A Romanian MEP shares the benefits of EU membership for Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia.
    18:52 - The story of the United for Ukraine Facebook group, which supports Ukrainian refugees, is shared.
    21:46 - Russia's role in environmental destruction and war crimes in Ukraine is discussed.
    23:57 - Vlad's journey from activist to politician and his party's goals are discussed.
    25:57 - The success story of Romania's anti-corruption measures and its lessons for Ukraine are discussed.
    29:14 - A conversation with Vlad on his Eastern European experience, from his Communist childhood to democracy advocacy.
    32:48 - Vlad's political ambitions and plans for future elections are discussed.
    33:44 - The challenges of balancing work and family as a politician are discussed.
    36:07 - Vlad shares his passion for Japanese culture and language.
    37:23 - The case of Snake Island is used to explain the importance of international rule of law in resolving conflicts.
    41:28 - Vlad shares words of support for Ukrainians.

    43 min
  • Unlock Ukraine: Georges Dallemagne on Ukraine, Holodomor, Terrorism and Fighting for Justice

    00:00 - Introduction of the guest Georges Dallemagne, Belgian politician, doctor and writer.

    00:34 - Discussion of Georges’ connection with Ukraine and his role in leading the inter-parliamentary group on Ukraine and Belgium.
    02:20 - Georges talks about his experience working with Doctors Without Borders and how it taught him to take authoritarian regimes seriously. He believes that people should grow up and learn from history.
    03:42 - Georges recalls his trip to Ukraine in March 2022 and that he has been to Ukraine four times already.
    04:15 - Georges talks about how the war in Ukraine is a 19th century style war, and how new technologies are being used in the war.
    05:04 - Georges talks about Russia’s the war against Ukraine and how he thinks Belgium and Europe aren't doing enough to help. He believes that Europe needs to explain to its citizens why this war is everyone's war.
    06:20 - Georges points out that although most MPs have accepted the truth about the war in Ukraine, concrete aid in the form of weapons and sanctions is not a high enough priority. He believes that the level of assistance is insufficient.
    07:56 - Georges explains what a Ukrainian victory would look like and what a Russian defeat would mean. He also talks about the importance of justice as a guarantee of peace.
    09:41 - Georges shares his experience of criticizing the Belgian government for not doing enough for Ukraine. He is saddened by the fact that Belgian prime minister was one of the last among EU governments to visit Ukraine, and explains it by the fear for the safety of high level officials. He believes that war is a living place and people need to be more present there to understand it.
    12:49 - Georges talks about the importance of Belgium recognizing the Holodomor as genocide. He believes that it is important to call a spade a spade and that the Ukrainian Holodomor is a vivid example of genocide.
    16:50 - Georges talks about the signs of genocide in Ukraine at the moment.
    17:56 - Georges shares his experience as a doctor without borders who worked in Rwanda and saw signs of genocide even before it was recognized by the UN. He also talks about his goal to restore justice for the victims of the genocide.
    20:25 - Georges talks about the turning point that led him to fight for justice in Srebrenica, where children were killed and the blue helmets did nothing. He draws an analogy between the events in Ukraine and the events in Srebrenica.
    25:34 - Georges explains how this time the EU's response to the war in Ukraine was much faster due to the awareness of the threat to the EU itself. He talks about the lessons of history that need to be remembered.
    27:05 - Georges discusses the reasons for fighting radical Islam.
    28:37 - Georges shares the secret story of the terrorist attack on Brussels and the failure of the Belgian security system to detect the terrorist network. He believes that Belgium is naive in security matters, and Brussels is a city where Islamists feel comfortable.
    31:57 - Georges talks about Belgium's last security threat from the Nazis that it experienced in the World War Two and how the country needs to learn from history.
    33:55 - Georges discusses his book about the Brussels terror attack, where he got his information for it, and how he lived across the street from the mastermind behind the attack. He also tells how secret service officials confirmed the authenticity of the book, revealing the secret history of the terrorist attack and the disgrace of the Belgian security system.
    37:00 - Georges talks about receiving the Order of King Leopold and what it means to him.
    38:35 - Georges shares his life story and discusses the importance of saving lives, especially in his work as Doctors Without Borders. He talks about his childhood in Congo, his family history and why he decided to become a doctor.
    44:10 - Georges emphasizes the importance of fighting against autocracy and uniting Europe.

    48 min
  • Unlock Ukraine : Lithuanian MEP Petras Austrevicus on Russia state sponsor of terrorism

    01:06 - 02:45 : Petras discusses Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. He suggest that Russia's involvement in various acts of terrorism around the world should be acknowledged and condemned by the international community.

    03:20 - 04:04 : The importance of a fair process is emphasized.
    04:04 - 05:28 : Petras calls for closer attention to Ukraine and for more contact with Ukrainian authorities.
    05:28 - 08:11 : Petras suggests that higher restrictions and sanctions should be imposed on Russia, but with a focus on quality rather than quantity. He argue that targeted sanctions that hurt Russia's economy and power structures would be more effective than broad-based sanctions that harm the Russian people.
    08:36 - 10:40 : Petras discusses the importance of understanding how to prevent aggression of third country against EU in world that changes. He cites the Hungary scenario as an example of how authoritarianism can spread and suggests that the EU parliament should be more proactive in defending democracy and human rights.
    10:42 - 12:10 : Petras discusses the Wagner group as a terrorist tool in the hands of the Russian government. He argues that the Wagner group is used to carry out covert operations in other countries, including acts of terrorism.
    12:12 - 14:28 : Petras emphasizes that the war in Ukraine is existential. He suggests that Ukraine needs financial and legal justice and a powerful EU mechanism to defend against aggression. He also suggests that Ukraine should identify and seize Russian assets as a form of punishment.
    14:30 - 14:45 : Petras predicts that Putin in Hague will eventually have to apologize in Ukrainian language .
    14:50 : Petras discusses plans for the future, including the creation of new instruments to defend against Russian aggression and the need to reformulate descriptions to better combat disinformation.

    19 min
  • Unlock Ukraine: Dubravka Ĺ uica Vice-President of the European Commission. Full Version

    00:00 - We begin our discussion by acknowledging that democracy cannot be taken for granted and why it is essential to protect it.

    03:00 - We will explore how civil society plays a vital role in defending democracy and the ways in which it can help safeguard our democratic institutions.
    04:24 - We will examine the path of Dubravka Ĺ uica, a prominent figure in Croatia and EU who has experienced war and how her experiences have shaped her perspective on democracy and civil society.
    05:21- We will highlight the voices of Ukrainian civil society in Europe and how they are contributing to the ongoing struggle to defend democracy and human rights.
    06:00 - We will discuss how each and every citizen has the power to draw European law and the importance of understanding and utilizing this power.
    07:32 - We will explore why Ursula von der Leyen chose Dubravka Ĺ uica and the significance of her appointment as a symbol of the EU's commitment to democracy and human rights.
    08:56 - We will delve into the way of Dubravka Ĺ uica and how her work can serve as an inspiration to others to defend democracy and human rights.
    10:32 - We will examine the challenges faced by women, particularly in balancing work and life, and the importance of addressing these issues in the context of democracy and human rights.
    12:50 - We will discuss the care needed for Ukrainian children and the importance of providing them with a safe and nurturing environment to grow and thrive.
    14:33 - We will highlight the fact that temporary solutions for children are no longer sufficient and why it is crucial to address this problem strategically.
    16:44 - We will pay attention to the alerts from civil society and why it is important to listen to their voices in the ongoing struggle to defend democracy and human rights.
    17:50 - We will emphasize that the care for children is not only the responsibility of a few but a collective responsibility of society, and we must work together to provide them with a better future.
    19:35 - We will examine the brain drain problem and the ways in which it poses a threat to the future of Ukraine and its democratic institutions.
    21:10 - We will explore the difficulties faced by Ukrainian children in integrating into the EU school system and the importance of finding solutions to these challenges.
    22:10 - We will discuss the one year of directive of temporary protection and its impact on the lives of those who have been affected by conflict and war.
    24:08 - We will invite all Ukrainians to participate in public consultation and have their voices heard, and emphasize the need for transparency in the ongoing efforts to defend democracy and human rights.

    28 min
  • The path of Dubravka Ĺ uica, a prominent figure in Croatia and EU who has experienced war and now stands for democracy and civil society

    Dubravka Šuica: You know that I was not born in a democracy, so I experienced the war in Croatia, and 32 years later I can compare what happened in Croatia at that time when we had that atrocious war, and it’s similar to the war that is unfortunately ravaging in Ukraine so I can understand the situation and I feel sympathy and empathy for the Ukrainian people and especially for Ukrainian women and children, because at the time of war I was a refugee myself and I was also hiding in shelters, the same as you are experiencing now in Ukraine.

    3 min
  • Unlock Ukraine with Dubravka Suica: The role of civil society in protecting democracy during its greatest challenges.

    We will explore how civil society plays a vital role in defending democracy and how it can help safeguard our democratic institutions.

    Marta Barandiy: This is something where you would also involve civil society. Would Ukrainian civil society play a role there?

    Dubravka Šuica: Of course, we have a significant role in our work that relies on civil society; you know that I co-led the Conference on the Future of Europe, which is the most important democratic exercise ever, exercising their right to democracy, and we did it in co-habitation with civil society so the other day, I was a guest in a European committee for economic and social affairs…Marta Barandiy: Where we met?

    Dubravka Šuica: …where we met is essential for civil society, so we usually have them on board. Regarding Ukrainian civil society, of course, there would be some, but this is about European democracies. You are a candidate country, and I hope you will consider it because you are on the path of your reform process.

    Marta Barandiy: The thing is that Ukrainian civil society could be the one in Ukraine but could also be the one in the EU, and maybe the one in the EU could be considered because Ukrainian civil society is here but also Georgian with the new situation in Georgia, this could also be something considered by you like these nations are the ones who know about defending democracy better than anyone else nowadays.

    2 min
  • Unlock Ukraine with Vice President of the European Commission Dubravka Suica: Democracy cannot be taken for granted

    With Vice President of the European Commission Dubravka Ĺ uica, we begin our discussion by acknowledging that democracy cannot be taken for granted and why it is essential to protect it.

    Marta Barandiy: Vice President Ĺ uica, we are delighted that you are hosting us here and starting our podcast series: Unlock Ukraine. This is very symbolic for us because, you know, Ukrainians defend democracy today, and you are the one who defends democracy in the EU, being vice president of the European Commission, who is responsible for defending democracy. How do you feel about this particular mission, seeing that Ukraine is also a candidate member of the European Union?

    Dubravka Šuica: Thank you for having me here today, of course you know the title of my portfolio is Democracy and Demography; you ask me about democracy; of course, democracy can’t be taken for granted if you look at what’s going on in Ukraine, what’s going on with Russia’s war in Ukraine where Russia is attacking Ukrainian citizens, Ukrainian people and they deny the identity of Ukrainians. So, you are at the forefront of defending democracy. Yes, we are defending democracy here in the European Commission, and we are preparing one big package, which is called the Democracy Defense Package, which will deal with the legislation of democracy. Unfortunately, this situation in Ukraine shows that we have to defend democracy though some citizens, here in Europe, might think we are fine, that we have a liberal democracy, but then today, there is no business as usual, so we have to defend it, and we are preparing legislation which will help us identify foreign interference, misinformation, and fake news, but to do this, we have to make our citizens of Europe understand what misinformation is and what is genuine information we have to create a civic space where we will show our citizens and teach our children how to differentiate good from bad, evil from good. It’s a task now; I am working on this piece of legislation with my colleague, Vice President Jourová.

    3 min
  • Unlock Ukraine: Marta Barandiy about new project

    Welcome to Unlock Ukraine, a podcast where we explore the cultural, historical and political aspects of Europe.

    In each issue, we send you on a journey through various facts, stories, insiders, points of view of our guests.
    With us today, Marta Barandiy is the founder and head of the organization Promote Ukraine.
    Today's release:
    00:00 Who is Marta Barandiy
    02:50 Station Europe by EP
    04:50 PU activities
    08:09 Impact of PU
    09:22 PU awards
    11:14 What is unlock Ukraine podcast for
    13:34 PU collaboration partners
    14:44 PU as messenger
    15:41 PU journal « Brussels Ukraina Review »
    18:01 Start of Russian invasion 2013
    So join us as we uncover the secrets of Ukraine and EU , episode by episode.

    21 min

About Promote Ukraine

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Brussels-based non-profit media and civil society hub for the exchange of expertise between Ukraine and the EU