In this thought-provoking episode, we examine the geopolitical ripple effects of Russia's invasion of Ukraine across the Indo-Pacific region, with special focus on China's diplomatic positioning and evolving Asian responses. Our expert guest unpacks the strategic realignment between Ukraine and South Korea as they navigate the challenges posed by deepening Russia-North Korea military cooperation. The conversation offers fresh insights into the emerging power dynamics reshaping security architecture across continents, revealing how new alliances between authoritarian states are transforming international relations in both Europe and Asia.

This month's guest: Nataliya Butyrska is an independent expert on East Asia. She is an author of more than 100 analytical articles and reports on the issues of international relations with a special focus on the Indo-Pacific region and Ukraine's relations with Asian countries. She is also one of the co-chairs for our Women Insight on China Initiative. 

Links:

https://zn.ua/eng/why-south-korea-is-still-afraid-to-provide-weapons-to-ukraine.html 

https://chinaobservers.eu/china-probes-the-ground-for-negotiations-in-the-russian-ukrainian-war/ 

https://chinaobservers.eu/ukraines-futile-struggle-to-win-chinas-support-over-the-russian-aggression/ 

https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-02-24/national/diplomacy/North-KoreaRussia-cooperation-escalates-global-threats-says-Ukrainian-ambassador-to-Seoul/2248927 

https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3809763-ukraine-should-explore-closer-ties-with-south-korea-in-face-of-russiadprk-cooperation-expert.html