Ukrainian society in wartime
Leo Litra and Lesia Ogryzko welcome Fredrik Wesslau and Volodymyr Yermolenko to unpack how, over three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian society continues to persist in the face of aggression
Amid much speculation surrounding Ukraine’s future—including ceasefires, peace talks and broader geopolitical shifts—ECFR has launched a new podcast mini-series that brings Ukrainian perspectives to the forefront.
In this opening episode, hosts Leo Litra and Lesia Ogryzko welcome Fredrik Wesslau, distinguished policy fellow at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies, and Volodymyr Yermolenko, editor-in-chief of UkraineWorld and president of PEN Ukraine, to explore the roots and evolution of Ukraine’s remarkable societal resilience.
Together, they unpack how Ukrainian society has adapted, how global developments—from the return of Dondald Trump to attempts at peace talks—are perceived on the ground, and what the rest of Europe can learn from Ukraine’s experience. How did Ukraine remain so strong in the face of a full-scale invasion? What enabled Ukraine’s whole-of-society resistance? And what sustains Ukraine, over three years on?
This episode was recorded on June 20th 2025
