From Ukraine With Love

Since Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s early campaign days, many wondered how the former star comedian would handle the critical public eye once in a position of political power.

Unfortunately, much like his predecessors, as president, Zelensky hasn’t been the most forthwith when journalists press him for answers on corruption and reform. He can be dismissive, demeaning, and sometimes outright hostile to the press.

This week we sit down with editor in chief Brian Bonner to discuss Zelensky's rhetoric toward the press, and why it continues to occur in a country where journalists have been murdered for seeking the truth.

Read our editorial: "Misplaced aggression" at kyivpost.com

It's the anniversary of Ukraine’s 30th Independence Day, and the Kyiv Post's print issue is dedicated to the holiday.

We’ve selected a few of the topics that are featured in the Independence Day issue and sat down with our journalists. Starting with Ukraine’s three major uprisings with Anastasia Lapatina, dominant figures that have shaped Ukraine in the past 30 years with Alexander Query and Max Hunder, debunking common misconceptions about modern Ukraine with Asami Terajima, and how technology improves Ukraine’s image with Daryna Antoniuk.

Full transcript available at kyivpost.com

Belarusian dissident Vitaliy Shyshov, Head of the Belarusian House in Ukraine, who was found hanged in a Kyiv park on August 3.

Shyshov provided assistance to Belarusian refugees fleeing from persecution. Police have launched a criminal investigation saying that they are looking into a potential murder framed as suicide.

This week we are joined by staff writer Oleksiy Sorokin.

Full transcript available on kyivpost.com.

This week we are discussing what’s been on everyone’s minds, the recently announced deal between the US and Germany giving a greenlight to complete the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

Joined by staff writer Max Hunder.

June, the month of Pride, has come to an end. Kyiv Post producer Elina Kent gives a snapshot of what it is like to be a part of the queer community in Ukraine with Ukraine Pride founder Sofia Lapina and LGTBQ activist Yura Dvizhon.

Full transcript available at kyivpost.com

In this episode of Kyiv Culture, the Kyiv Post examines Kyiv's rising electronic music scene that has already given it some reputation in the world of techno. However spaces for raves, creatives, and partygoers have been increasingly policed, and not because of any illegal activities. 

Kyiv Post producer Elina Kent is joined by Lifestyle editor Toma Istomina and Copwatch Ukraine activist Nazariy Sovsun.

Full transcript available at kyivpost.com 

It has been just over seven years since the start of Russia’s invasion and aggression in Eastern Ukraine. The war has slowly dragged on with no end in sight. Meanwhile, children in occupied Donbas swallow pro-Kremlin propaganda on a daily basis.

Kyiv Post journalist Anastasiia Lapatina and producer Elina Kent discuss how teenagers from the occupied territories of Donbas are affected by Russia’s efforts to eradicate Ukrainian identity in the region and how it affects their education and hopes for the future.

Full transcript available on kyivpost.com

Vaccination in Ukraine began on Feb. 24 at a snail pace, with only 2 people receiving a full dose by mid April.

But by May 7 a total of 821,768 people had received the first dose of the vaccine, while 428 people received two doses of the vaccine.

Most recently Ukraine saw a jump in vaccinations, jumping from the average 15,000 to almost 70,000 a day.

What is the vaccination process in Ukraine? How does one feel after receiving the Astrazeneca dose? We sit down with Deputy Editor Olga Rudenko who got her first vaccine does just last week.

Full transcript available on kyivpost.com

President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered the National Security and Defense Council to draft legislation to limit the powers of Ukrainian oligarchs on April 15.

For decades, oligarchs have used their economic might and political influence to bend governments to their will and win privileges. Now, in the president’s words, the oligarchs must become law-abiding business people.

Joining the podcast to discuss his article and the Kyiv Post's cover story “The other war: Is Zelensky willing, able to tame Ukraine’s oligarchs?” is journalist Oleksiy Sorokin.

Full transcript available on kyivpost.com

This week the Kyiv Post continues to look at Russia’s aggression, specifically the recent build up of Russian forces on the Eastern Ukrainian border, with more troops than ever since the start of the conflict in 2014.

To discuss this situation journalist Elina Kent sat down with Former Ambassador to Ukraine Bill Taylor and Former Assistant Secretary for European Affairs and Sanctions Coordinator Daniel Fried about Russian aggression and steps the West could and should take.

Full transcript available on kyivpost.com

Kyiv Post producer Elina Kent and staff writer Oleg Sukhov sit down to discuss the Kyiv Post's front page cover story of the week - Vladimir Putin: Killer On The Loose.

"As Vladimir Putin moves tens of thousands of Russian troops and military hardware to Ukraine's eastern border, it's a good time to look at the Kremlin dictator's blood-soaked past, dating back to his KGB years in Dresden, Eastern Germany. He's responsible easily for tens of thousands of deaths in Ukraine, Syria & Russia, particularly during the Second Chechen War. Many people think he bombed his own citizens in their homes in 1999, killing more than 300 people, to gin up public support for the Chechen war. And, of course, at least 20 of his fiercest critics have been murdered, died under suspicious circumstances or were poisoned. Yet the West and much of the rest of the world treat him as if he's a normal leader."

Full transcript available on kyivpost.com

This week Kyiv Post Editor in Chief Brian Bonner and multimedia journalist Elina Kent sit down and talk about vaccines and what people can expect in the next few months. 

Even though Ukraine started vaccinating its population against COVID-19 over a month ago, only 2 Ukrainians have been vaccinated with the required 2 doses of the vaccine. So there’s very much been a slow roll out in Ukraine. 

Full transcript available on kyivpost.com

The third wave of infection has hit western Ukraine with the British variant of the virus spreading quickly.

This has led a sharp increase in cases, with record breaking daily death rates for several consecutive days this past week.

We are joined by staff writer Anna Myroniuk who travelled to western Ukraine to a hospital on the frontline of this third wave and Deputy Chief Editor Olga Rudenko to discuss Kyiv’s third lockdown that is currently in place through April 9.

Full transcript available on kyivpost.com

Last week marked the 7 year anniversary of the set-up referendum Russia held within newly invaded and occupied Crimea. Since then, those who speak out against the Russian regime or show support for Ukraine are immediately silenced and jailed. 

The Kyiv Post recently released the documentary “Crimean Solidarity: The fight for freedom in Russian-occupied Crimea,” where we followed the families of political prisoners since January 2020 and documented their lives in occupied Crimea.

After a screening of the Crimean Solidarity film, Lutfiye Zudiyeva, a human rights defender with Crimean Solidarity and main character of the documentary, Emine Dzhaparova, the First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine, and Nariman Dzhelyalov, the Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of Crimean Tatar People spoke at an online event hosted by the US-Ukraine Foundation included in the podcast. 

Full transcript available on kyivpost.com 

It’s been a month and a half since Joe Biden took office as the 46th president of the United States. This week we are discussing two aspects of Ukraine-U.S. relations: The Nord Stream 2 pipeline with staff writer Alexander Query, and proposed plans from the Atlantic Council and Kyiv Security Forum for Biden-Zelensky cooperation with Kyiv Post editor-in-chief Brian Bonner.

Full Transcript available on kyivpost.com

It’s never a dull week in politics here in Ukraine. This week we are discussing the arrest and sentencing of activist Sergiy Sternenko that has sparked protests in the streets.

We are joined by Oleg Sukhov who has been closely following the story.

Full transcript available on kyivpost.com

This week we are covering the internal fighting in the Health Ministry and corruption allegations that have stalled Ukraine’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign - and led to a conflict between the government and the country’s main anti-corruption agency. We are joined by Veronika Melkozerova and Oleg Sukhov who have been reporting on the separate aspects of this big story.

Full transcript available on kyivpost.com

Former member of Parliament and Kyiv Post column writer Sergeii Leschenko discusses his front cover op ed piece. "How Poroshenko Saved Medvedchuk - And Kremlin Propaganda"

Full transcript available on kyivpost.com

This week Zelensky banned 3 pro-Russian propaganda TV channels in Ukraine that are tied to the Kremlin. Putin's close friend, Medvechuk denies all claims.

Producer Elina Kent and staff writer Oleksiy Sorokin discuss what happened and what it means. Full transcript of the podcast on the website.

Kyiv Post producer Elina Kent sits down with staff writer Anna Myroniuk to answers the most vital questions about Ukraine's nationwide vaccination.

Full transcript of podcast is available on kyivpost.com

This week the Kyiv Post podcast covers what the Biden administration means for Ukraine’s future. We are joined by Illia Ponomarenko the Kyiv Post defense reporter and Oleksiy Sorokin, our political staff writer.

Are things looking good for Ukraine now that Biden is president? Or will relationships continue to strain as Ukraine deals with more unresolved corruption and scandal?

Full transcript of the podcast is on our website kyivpost.com

For the first podcast of 2021 we are covering the recent development of the infamous murder of Pavel Sheremet. The new player in suspect? You may recognize him as we’ve covered the protests currently going on in his country on our podcast previously, Belarusian dictator, Alexander Lukashenko.

Produced and hosted by Elina Kent.

Kyiv Post journalists Elina Kent and Alexander Query take you through the major news events that Kyiv Post covered during 2020.

From the Iran plane crash in Tehran,
Ukraine's ecological crisis,
President Zelensky's government "do over",
Coronavirus in Ukraine,
The Belarusian election and protests,
and the still ongoing Courtpocalypse.

It’s one of independent Ukraine’s dominant paradigms: being pulled between more powerful forces.

For a quarter-century, Kyiv swung between Russia and the West. In 2019, U. S. President Donald Trump tried to use it as a political bludgeon against his Democratic competitor, former Vice President Joseph Biden.

Now, Ukraine finds itself at the center of a battle for Motor Sich, a strategic aircraft engine manufacturer. A Chinese company wants to buy it. The United States opposes that sale.

Hosted by Elina Kent. Joined this week by Igor Kossov.

Ukraine will go into a nationwide lockdown starting on Jan. 8 until Jan. 24 to curb the spread of COVID-19.

What is today’s current situation of the pandemic? What can we expect with the upcoming winter lockdown? When can we expect a vaccine?

These questions are answered and discussed with Kyiv Post journalists Matt Kupfer and Bermet Talant. Hosted by Elina Kent.

2020 has been rough year on all of us in one way or another. Ukraine already has a history of poor support or even acknowledgment of mental health issues. An issue that heavily affects everyone as the country continues to deal with a slow burn war and corrupt courts.

Lifeline Ukraine focuses on helping Ukrainian veterans, and anyone who is feeling suicidal. Their phone number is 7333 free in all of Ukraine.

Ukraine on the Brink – a 10 part documentary series on Ukraine’s ecological crises and solutions is out now.

We are joined by the head of the project Austin Malloy who takes us through the major discoveries of the series. Hosted by Elina Kent.

It has been 8 months since the first coronavirus case was confirmed in Ukraine on March 3rd. Since then we have sat through a nationwide quarantine, initially for three weeks, that was prolonged several times, several adaptive measures, and changing policies.

This podcast covers the most recent coronavirus numbers, measures taken and Health Minister Stepanov’s approach. Joined by Bermet Talant and Matt Kupfer. Hosted by Elina Kent.

Two corrupt courts working in tandem -- the Constitutional Court and Kyiv City Administrative Court ruled by Judge Pavlo Vovk -- have delivered serious blows to Ukraine's anti-corruption drive.

Joined by Oleksiy Sorokin, hosted by Elina Kent.

Early voting for the November 3rd US presidential elections has opened and there are already reports that people are waiting up to 5-11 hours to vote. Seeing as Ukraine also goes to the polls this weekend for the local elections, we’d like to know:

Would you wait hours in line to vote?

We are joined by the director of the NGO Global Office Ksana Nechyporenko to discuss their media initiative Vlipy Za Sebe. Hosted by Elina Kent.

Local elections are incredibly important. And this year’s local elections might be the most high-stakes and competitive in Ukraine’s independent history.

Staff writers Bermet Talant and Oleskiy Sorokin join to discuss Zelensky’s strange new poll and the upcoming mayoral elections. Hosted by Elina Kent.

This week's topic covers the National Bank of Ukraine.

Former governor Yakiv Smolii resigned in June due to “systemic political pressure.” Since then, two deputy governors have quit and one was not given a renewal when his term ended. Several other officials resigned as well, the latest being the financial monitoring director. This raised questions: Had they also left due to pressure? Or did Smolii’s successor Kyrylo Shevchenko ask them to leave in order to bring his own team into the central bank?

We are joined by staff writer Igor Kossov.

This week's episode focuses on Ukraine’s path and steps taken against the war in Donbas.

It's been one year since then newly elected President Zelensky announced the controversial Steinmeier formula. What has happened since?

We are joined by Kyiv Post defense journalist Illiya Ponomarenko.

She is known for being a pioneering jurist and fervent advocate for women’s rights and gender equality, but did you know she also had Ukrainian roots?

Kyiv post producer Elina Kent and news editor Matt Kupfer discuss Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s little-known Ukrainian history.

Kyiv Post journalists Elina Kent and Alexander Query present From Ukraine, With Love's last episode! This episode covers the news and events from Sept 11th - Sept 18th.

Kyiv Post journalists Elina Kent and Alexander Query welcome you with "From Ukraine, With Love", a weekly digest going through the news of this week. This episode covers the news and events from Sept 04 - Sept 11th.

Kyiv Post journalists Elina Kent and Alexander Query welcome you with "From Ukraine, With Love", a weekly digest going through the news of this week. This episode covers the news and events from August 28th - Sept 04.

Kyiv Post journalists Elina Kent and Alexander Query welcome you with "From Ukraine, With Love", a weekly digest going through the news of this week. This episode covers the news and events from August 22nd - 28th.

Kyiv Post journalists Elina Kent and Alexander Query welcome you with "From Ukraine, With Love", a weekly digest going through the news of this week. This episode covers the news and events from August 15 - 21st.

Kyiv Post journalists Elina Kent and Alexander Query welcome you with "From Ukraine, With Love", a weekly digest going through the news of this week. This episode covers the news and events from August 8 - 14th

Kyiv Post journalists Elina Kent and Alexander Query welcome you with "From Ukraine, With Love", a weekly digest going through the news of this week. This episode covers the news and events from August 1 - 7th.

Kyiv Post journalists Elina Kent and Alexander Query welcome you with "From Ukraine, With Love", a weekly digest going through the news of this week. This episode covers the news and events from July 15 - July 31.

Kyiv Post journalists Elina Kent and Alexander Query welcome you with "From Ukraine, With Love", a weekly digest going through the news of this week. This episode covers the news and events from July 17 - July 24.

Kyiv Post journalists Elina Kent and Alexander Query welcome you with "From Ukraine, With Love", a weekly digest going through the news of this week. This episode covers the news and events from July 10 - July 17.

Kyiv Post journalists Elina Kent and Alexander Query welcome you with "From Ukraine, With Love", a weekly digest going through the news of this week. This episode covers the news and events from July 03 - July 09.

Kyiv Post journalists Elina Kent and Alexander Query welcome you with "From Ukraine, With Love", a weekly digest going through the news of this week. This episode covers the news and events from June 27 - July 03.

Kyiv Post journalists Elina Kent and Alexander Query welcome you with "From Ukraine, With Love", a weekly digest going through the news of this week. This episode covers the news and events from June 19th -June 26th.

Kyiv Post journalists Elina Kent and Alexander Query welcome you with "From Ukraine, With Love", a weekly digest going through the news of this week. This episode covers the news and events from June 13 -June 19th.

Kyiv Post journalists Elina Kent and Alexander Query welcome you with "From Ukraine, With Love", a weekly digest going through the news of this week. This episode covers the news and events from June 06 -June 12th.