What comes next after Russia's parliamentary “election”? And how is NATO's eastern flank preparing for the possibility of a wider security crisis?

In this week's Talk Eastern Europe news roundup, Adam Reichardt and Alexandra Karppi discuss Russia's parliamentary election results, speculation about a possible new wave of military mobilisation, and the implications for the war in Ukraine and security across Central and Eastern Europe.

With Poland warning of potential Russian provocations and Lithuania preparing civilian evacuation plans, the conversation turns to how NATO's eastern flank is responding to growing uncertainty. What does civilian preparedness look like, and how are Poland and Lithuania working together?

We also turn to Romania, where another attempt to form a government faces significant parliamentary obstacles. Can the country's political parties find a way out of the deadlock, and what role will the Social Democrats play?

BONUS for Patrons:
Alexandra has just returned from Serbia, where she attended student protests and spoke with people on the ground. In an exclusive bonus conversation, she shares her impressions of Belgrade, the protest movement and the political atmosphere ahead of Serbia's elections.

Watch the extended episode and join our community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

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What do you make of the security preparations taking place in Lithuania and Poland? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

01:57 Russia’s parliamentary election results

03:30 Could Russia launch a new wave of mobilisation?

06:08 Ukraine, the approaching winter and security concernsin Poland

9:45 Lithuania’s evacuation plans and cooperation withPoland

11:05 Romania’s political crisis and the struggle to form agovernment

15:36 China’s influence in Serbia and the Western Balkans

China’s role in the Western Balkans is changing. Once associated primarily with infrastructure projects, loans and the Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing is increasingly turning towards AI, digital technologies, telecommunications and deeper political partnerships with Serbia at the centre of its regional presence.

In this Deep Dive, Alexandra Karppi speaks with Stefan Vladisavljev, Programme Director at Foundation BFPE in Belgrade, about what China actually wants from the Western Balkans and what countries like Serbia gain from the relationship.

They discuss why Serbia has become China’s closest partner in the region, Chinese investment and access to raw materials, Beijing’s position on Kosovo, the growing presence of Chineseworkers and tourists, Serbian public opinion towards China, and concerns surrounding surveillance technology, transparency and political influence.

The conversation also asks a bigger question: are we looking at China in the region clearly — or are we still caught between fear-mongering and overly positive narratives?

BONUS FOR PATRONS: Stefan stays with us for an extendedconversation looking beyond the Western Balkans to China’s evolving role across Central and Eastern Europe. They discuss why Beijing prefers bilateral relationships, Europe’s difficulty developing a common approach towards China, and why AI, digital cooperation and technology could define the next phase of China’s engagement with the region.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction01:11 What is China doing in the Western Balkans?

04:56 From Belt and Road to AI and digital technology

06:33 China’s political interests, Kosovo and Serbia

10:17 Why Serbia has become China’s key regional partner

17:11 Chinese tourism and workers in Serbia

22:17 China, Serbia and a changing Hungary

25:23 What do Serbians actually think about China?

28:53 Surveillance, transparency and the risks of Chinese technology

32:29 Bonus conversation for Patrons – China’s role in the wider region

Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europe magazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space.

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A major verdict has been handed down in The Hague: formerKosovo president Hashim Thaçi has been found guilty of war crimes and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Adam and Alexandra discuss what the ruling could mean for Kosovo, its politics and the wider debate over transitional justice in the Western Balkans.

We also look at a new wave of repression against independent voices in Azerbaijan, devastating wildfires in Croatia, and the latest BRICS summit in New Delhi – where Russia’s war against Ukraine was notably absent from the final declaration.

Finally, we return to growing security concerns on NATO’s eastern flank, including reports of a Russian drone entering Lithuanian airspace, an attack drone washing ashore in Poland, and recent attacks on railway infrastructure near the Polish-Ukrainian border.

In the extended version of the podcast, for Patrons only,Adam reflects on the developments in the region over the last 15 years, in the context of the latest issue of New Eastern Europe which is commemorating the magazine’s 15 years of publication.

Get access to the full episode and support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Intro

01:20 – Hashim Thaçi found guilty: what happens next in Kosovo?06:10 – Azerbaijan’s crackdown on independent voices
10:32 – Wildfires hit Croatia’s Brač Island
12:08 – Brief Eastern Europe
12:00 – BRICS summit: Ukraine disappears from the declaration
14:12 – China, BRICS and the Global South
16:31 – New security alarms on NATO’s eastern flank
18:34 – New Eastern Europe celebrates 15 years