Beyond Borders: Navigating EU Foreign Policy

In this episode, David Orlov of Nazarbayev University speaks with Ruslan Zaporozhchenko and Dmytro Boiko of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University about European values and Euroscepticism in Ukraine in the context of European integration and the ongoing war. Drawing on the authors’ recent papers, “Dynamics of Value Orientations in Post-Soviet Ukraine: The Factor of European Integration” and “The Eurosceptic Discourse in Candidate Countries: A Retrospective Analysis of the Ukrainian Case,” the discussion explores the evolution of public values and political discourse in contemporary Ukraine.Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

In this episode, David Orlov of Nazarbayev University speaks with Claske Vos, anthropologist and Assistant Professor at the Department of European Studies at the University of Amsterdam, about contestations surrounding EU foreign policy intervention in the Western Balkans. Vos examines the perspectives of the independent cultural and arts scene in former Yugoslav states, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Montenegro, and how these actors respond to and challenge EU initiatives and narratives. The discussion explores the EU’s growing emphasis on culture as a tool for democratization and peaceful inter-community relations, questioning whether cultural and artistic spaces can truly facilitate alternative political engagement, critical debate, and free expression, or if their transformative potential remains limited by structural and political constraints.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

In this episode, David Orlov of Nazarbayev University speaks with Dr. Vladimir Filipovoc, Associate Professor at Libertas University in Zagreb, about the prospects and politics of European Union enlargement, with a particular focus on Western Balkans. Dr. Filipovoc discusses the strategic significance of the region, assessing Croatia's role as a potential model for aspiring member states. He also examines the growing involvement of external actors, such as Russia, China and Turkey, and how their influence shapes EU decision-making. The conversation considers the likelihood of current candidate countries advancing toward membership and explores shifting attitudes within the EU toward further enlargement, revealing both enduring challenges and new opportunities for Europe's future. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

In this episode, Jean-François Caron from Nazabayev University is discussing Vladimir Putin's anti-Western rhetoric and the ramifications of his opposition against liberal values.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

In this episode, we are welcoming students who attended one of the ValEUs Summer school held at Bilgi University. They are discussing their experience and sharing their thoughts about the EU and immigration. 

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

In this episode, David Orlov of Nazarbayev University speaks with Professor Belinda Davis, a historian of modern Germany and Europe at Rutgers University. Drawing on her forthcoming book, The Inner Life of Politics: Grassroots Activism in West Germany, 1962–1983, Professor Davis reflects on the legacy of grassroots movements in Cold War-era Germany and explores their relevance for contemporary political mobilization across Europe. The conversation covers themes such as populism, antifascism, polarization, and democratic participation.

Funded by the European Union.Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

In this episode, David Orlov of Nazarbayev University speaks with Dr. Stipe Buzar, Assistant Professor at Libertas International University in Zagreb, about his upcoming publication, "Empire of Lies: Russian Contestation of Western Values and International Order." Dr. Buzar discusses how Russia frames the war in Ukraine as a civilizational struggle against a morally corrupt West. Drawing on Aleksandr Dugin, official policy documents, and the concept of Russkiy mir, he examines how Russian elites construct an alternative moral order rooted in tradition, sovereignty, and spiritual identity, while rejecting liberal universalism.

Funded by the European Union.Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

In this episode. Daniel Scarborough, of Nazarbayev University, speaks with Hieromonk Iakov Vorontsov in Almaty, Kazakhstan. They discuss Fr. Iakov’s public opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and his call for the separation of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan from the Patriarchate of Moscow, which resulted in his defrocking by a diocesan court on June 15th, 2024.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

In this 6th podcast, Nancy Condie, Erica Edwards, Zsuzsanna Magdo and Randall Halle from the University of Pittsburgh are presenting their views about Europe and its values and the role of their institution in the ValEUs consortium.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

In this podcast, Prof. Beata Przybylska-Maszner and Prof. Jarosław Jańczak engage in a scholarly discussion on the foreign policy of the European Union, drawing upon perspectives from International Relations and Border Studies. The central theme of their analysis is contestation, understood both in relation to the fundamental values upon which the EU is founded and the broader role of the Union in the international system. The discussion critically examines the evolving global order, the EU’s institutional reforms, the dynamics of multilateralism, and the Union’s geopolitical strategies. By addressing these dimensions, the podcast provides insights into the challenges and transformations shaping the EU’s external relations in an era of increasing complexity and uncertainty.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

In this 4th épisode of the ValEUs podcast series, Prof. Jean-François Caron is questioning Prof. Stipe Buzar, from Libertas University, and Prof. Petar Popovic, from the University of Zagreb, about the Trump administration's foreign policy and its implications on Europe and its values.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

In this episode, we are hosting Prof. Ayhan Kaya from Istanbul Bilgi University, an expert on populism, migration, and identity politics. Prof. Kaya shares his thoughts on the rise of populism and its various forms. He also delves into the concept of nativism, a recurring theme in his research, and explains its significance in today's political landscape. We discuss the increasing prominence of populism, its causes, and the role of islamophobism within this context. Prof. Kaya explains why he uses the term "islamophobism" and unpacks its connection to the populist discourse. Finally, we explore the implications of these trends on Turkey's relationship with the European Union.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

In this podcast Dr. Maja Savevska from Nazarbayev University discusses the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy which remains the biggest challenge to the EU federalist aspirations. The talk focused on examining core geopolitical risks, the transition of the EU from a Civilian Power to Strategic Actor, and the core institutional features of the CFSP and the various security strategies adopted by the EU. The talk concluded by reviewing how successful is the CFSP in forging a consensus among member states with divergent national preferences.Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

ValEUs Project initial presentation. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.