In this episode, Leszek Jażdżewski welcomes Alicja Bachulska, a MapInfluenCE China analyst in Poland and a member of China Observers in Central and Eastern Europe (CHOICE). They talk about the impact of the Russian aggression in Ukraine in a more global context – with the focus on China.
Leszek Jażdżewski talks to Olha Konsevych, a Ukrainian journalist and researcher, the Editor-in-Chief of the Ukrainian newspaltform 24tv.ua, about the war in Ukraine.
The unprovoked invasion of Russia is an unprecedented act of war. Vladimir Putin is denying Ukrainians the right to exist. He denies the foundations on which the coexistence of nations established after the Second World War is based.
Russia attacked Ukraine. The first missiles and rounds fell in the south, including the capital – Kiev. The Russian army crossed the borders of Ukraine in a number of points, including across the border with Belarus.
Without a declaration of war. Without any real casus belli. No excuse. Based on a vile provocation. With a mouth full of phrases, lies, insults, and hypocrisy. At dawn. Just like in 1939.
Russia is dangerous and disregarding this fact may end badly for us. Secondly, Germany’s weakness (its fear of taking the lead) is more dangerous to us than its strength. And finally, the most important thing: we can do very little on our own.
300 days. That is how long Andrzej Poczobut has been sitting in a Belarusian prison on fabricated charges. The authorities accused him of “inciting hatred on the grounds of nationality”. He may face a dozen or so years of labor camps.
Not only do we need guides through the jungle of manipulated and false news, we ourselves, as recipients, should also cultivate the ability to think critically and develop the ability to check the sources, quality, and credibility of the information we receive.
You can choose what to believe in, you will always find politicians, opinion leaders, celebrities, and even pseudoscientists who will not only strengthen your beliefs, but also fuel them for the sake of their own popularity and profit.
Over the years, pop culture has been a very important part of communication. It was present in jokes, metaphors, and advertisements. In a way, it created the language with which we communicated. Both the canon and current fashions played an important role here.
