In this Talk Eastern Europe Deep Dive, Adam Reichardt and Nina Panikova speak with renowned Russia analyst Mark Galeotti about what is happening inside Russia today and what it means for Ukraine, Europe, and the wider global order.
The conversation explores the Kremlin’s tightening control over the internet, disruptions to platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp, and the political struggle behind Russia’s so-called “sovereign internet.” Galeotti explains how these measures are not only about security, but also about power inside the Russian system — and why they may be alienating new parts of Russian society.
The discussion also looks at the state of the Russian economy, the impact of Western sanctions, Russia’s evolving relationships with Iran and North Korea, and how Vladimir Putin is trying to position Russia in an increasingly fragmented world. Galeotti also reflects on Donald Trump, Europe’s internal divisions, Hungary after Viktor Orbán, and the risks posed by future elections in France and elsewhere.
Finally, the episode turns to Russia’s May 9th Victory Day narrative and what it reveals about Putin’s weakened social contract with Russian citizens.
Topics covered in this episode:
00:00 Introduction
03:00 Russia’s internet restrictions and “sovereign internet”
08:45 Public discontent and protest potential inside Russia
16:15 Is the Russian economy really faltering?
20:00 Western sanctions and their real impact
22:30 Russia, Iran, North Korea and the global order
27:00 Trump, Putin and the future of US-Russia relations
29:00 Hungary, Europe and Russia’s influence in the EU
34:30 Victory Day, propaganda and Putin’s wartime narrative
Guest:
Mark Galeotti is a historian, Russia analyst, director of Mayak Intelligence, honorary professor at UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies, and host of In Moscow’s Shadows.
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Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from the 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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26 mins