It’s rare that I 🎶 hit replay this fast… but here we are

This week's episode of the Language of Power podcast focuses on Russia’s war in Ukraine, the war crimes committed by Putin’s forces, and efforts to hold those responsible accountable. A very special guest, Andriy Kostin, Ukraine’s former prosecutor-general, shares insights on evidence collection and legal action against Putin and his inner circle. As ceasefire negotiations unfold in Saudi Arabia, we’ll explore the role of transitional justice in securing a just and lasting peace.

With Paul Taylor, EPC's senior visiting fellow for the Europe in the World programme and podcast host and Andriy Kostin, Ukraine's former prosecutor general.


This Podcast is part of the EPC's Europe in the World Programme.

The Language of Power: How to ensure that justice isn’t the first casualty of a ceasefire in Ukraine

Senior visiting fellow Chris Kremidas-Courtney joins host Paul Taylor on The Language of Power to discuss how Europe must prepare for defense in an era of mass precision warfare—possibly without U.S. support. With Russia’s military buildup and ongoing aggression in Ukraine, how should Europe invest its growing defense budgets? They debate the relevance of tanks, fighter jets, and aircraft carriers in a world of drones, missiles, and uncrewed systems. They also examine key capabilities Europe has long relied on the U.S. and NATO for—such as command and control, space-based intelligence, logistics, and nuclear deterrence. With over 35 years in military and security, Kremidas-Courtney shares expert insights on adapting to this new era of warfare.

The Language of Power: How Europe should spend its extra defence budgets

In this episode of The Language of Power, EPC Podcast host and Senior Visiting Fellow Paul Taylor is joined by senior policy analyst Philipp Lausberg and policy analyst Svitlana Taran from the European Policy Centre to question how sanctions can become more impactful and effective in the long run. They also examine the political logic, economic consequences, and strategic dilemmas behind EU sanctions.  Why do they persist despite mixed results? What happens when unity among member states starts to fracture? And how should the EU respond if key allies, like the United States, shift their stance? 

The Language of Power: How to make EU sanctions more effective

In this episode of The Language of Power, the EPC’s Paul Taylor is joined by Amanda Paul and Demir Murat Seyrek to unpack Turkey’s evolving geopolitical role amid US attempts to end Russia’s war on Ukraine. As Turkey’s strategic relevance grows, so does concern over President Erdoğan’s crackdown on the democratic opposition, notably the arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The discussion explores the EU’s dilemma: engage Turkey as a vital NATO partner or stand firm on human rights? The episode also sheds light on Turkey’s relations with the US, Russia, and EU, the strength of its civil society and opposition movements, and whether a new EU-Turkey relationship beyond accession is both necessary and possible. 

The Language of Power: Talking Turkey

In this episode, host Paul Taylor explores how cryptocurrency, once seen as fringe “funny money,” is now influencing democracy and financial systems. Paul Taylor is joined by guests Joe Litobarski and Alice Stollmeyer to unpack how crypto works, its regulation or lack thereof, and its political implications, especially under the second Trump administration. Debating whether crypto is empowering citizens or undermining states, this episode shares critical insights into crypto’s risks, benefits, and what Europe should do in response.

The Language of Power: Crypto Democracy

In this episode of The Language of Power podcast, host Paul Taylor is joined by Mihai Chihaia, a policy analyst in the EPC’s Europe in the World programme, and Ionela Ciolan, a research officer at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, to unpack how Russia’s war on Ukraine has reshaped security in the Black Sea.  

From Ukraine’s use of naval drones to Turkey’s control of the straits and NATO’s limited naval presence, the discussion explores the shifting balance at sea, the EU’s new Black Sea Strategy, and what’s next for regional defence. 

The Language of Power: Murky Waters: Navigating the Future of Black Sea Security

The Language of Power – NATO’s summit in The Hague: a turning point or a phoney deal?

This week, host Paul Taylor is joined by Jamie Shea and Iana Maisuradze to unpack the outcomes of the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague – the first under President Trump’s return. Was it a moment of renewed unity or a carefully choreographed illusion? From Article 5 ambiguity to the 5% defence spending pledge, the episode explores what the summit means for transatlantic credibility, European rearmament, arms control, and Ukraine’s NATO path.

Tune in for sharp insights, critical analysis, and behind-the-scenes perspectives on NATO’s most consequential gathering in years.

The Language of Power: NATO’s summit in The Hague: a turning point or a phoney deal?

In this episode of The Language of Power, host Paul Taylor explores the high-stakes geopolitical tug-of-war over Moldova, a small country caught between EU integration and Russian interference ahead of its crucial parliamentary elections on 28 September.

With insights from Tatiana Cojocari (WatchDog.MD Community) and Anastasia Pociumban (DGAP), the episode unpacks:

• Russia’s full-spectrum campaign of disruption in Moldova;
• EU and US support for Moldova’s democratic resilience;
• The role of Transnistria and recent gas cut-offs;
• The dilemma of decoupling Moldova’s EU path from Ukraine’s amid Hungarian opposition;
• The emergence of Alternativa and the potential election surprises.

The outcome in Moldova could shape the credibility of EU enlargement and the resilience of democracy on Europe’s eastern frontier.

This Podcast is part of the EPC's Europe in the World Programme.

The Language Of Power: Moldova's Moment

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The Language Of Power: Moldova's Moment

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