On the "Power of Choice" show, Olga Vyazovska interviews columnist and journalist Vitaliy Portnikov about security guarantees, war, and world political changes. They discuss whether current alliances—especially the US—can offer effective security guarantees for partners, considering events in the Middle East and Ukraine's ongoing war.
Portnikov notes that even security guarantees for Israel do not eliminate risks, while the US role as a global player is changing—the unipolar world no longer exists. This challenges Ukraine: withdrawing from Donbas would mean losing strong defensive positions, while US security guarantees seem conditional, particularly amid fears of direct military conflict with Russia.
Risks discussed include missile and terrorist threats from Iran, support for terrorist groups by Russia and Iran, and the potential spread of terrorism after military actions end. The interview explores the concept of "middle-power coalitions" to strengthen security, but their effect is limited, with Russia’s nuclear arsenal being a key restraining factor.
The conversation also addresses Russia’s internal shift towards totalitarian control, the use of political consultants for influence in neighboring countries, and information warfare techniques. Portnikov analyzes the historical and ideological roots of Russian imperialism, the position of EU countries in the conflict, and draws parallels to the influence of the US and China on global politics.
Special attention is given to the role of the EU amid internal divisions, especially in Hungary, as well as the prospects for democracy and resistance to pro-Russian and far-right movements in Europe. The talk ends with hope for European unity and for political and diplomatic solutions to conflicts, rather than blackmail or undermining Ukraine's interests and defense capabilities.
