The second season of the Eyes on Democracy podcast opens with “Ukraine and the future of Europe,” a conversation on Ukraine’s fight for freedom and its defining importance for the security and democratic future of the continent.

Podcast co-creators and hosts Roger Casale and Xhabir Deralla are joined by Leena Maria Linnus, Minister Counsellor and Head of the European Parliament Liaison Office in the United Kingdom.

“Ukraine’s struggle is not only a war for national survival. It is also a defining struggle for Europe—its security, democratic order and ability to stand united against authoritarian aggression,” Deralla says in the opening of the episode.

The conversation looks ahead to “Ukraine and the Future of Europe: Unity, Security, Democracy,” an event taking place on 7 September 2026 at Europe House in London. The gathering is organized by the European Parliament Liaison Office in the United Kingdom in cooperation with the Westminster Alliance for Ukraine and the European Parliament’s Office in Ukraine.

The London event will bring together members of the European, British and Ukrainian parliaments to examine how parliamentary cooperation can reinforce the work of governments, strengthen democratic resilience and sustain long-term support for Ukraine.

In the podcast, Linnus, Casale and Deralla discuss the distinctive role of parliaments and parliamentarians, as well as the contribution that media, civil society, local authorities and other democratic actors can make to Ukraine’s fight for freedom and its European future.

The episode also explores the work and future ambitions of the Westminster Alliance for Ukraine, including the need to transform solidarity into sustained cooperation across national borders. The participants address the dangers of war fatigue, disinformation and authoritarian influence, and the responsibility of democratic actors to explain why supporting Ukraine is not an act of charity, but an investment in Europe’s own freedom and security.

The discussion considers the new Ukraine already emerging through resistance, sacrifice, reform and democratic determination. Ukraine, the participants argue, will not simply take its place in Europe. It will help define the security, values and democratic identity of a new Europe.

The conversation also briefly touches on Deralla’s recent visit to Ukraine as part of the Germany-based Media Dialogue 2026 mission.

Roger Casale is a former UK MP, co-founder of the Defending Democracy Global Initiative and director of its flagship programme, the Westminster Alliance for Ukraine. Xhabir Deralla is a journalist, human rights defender and hybrid warfare analyst, President of CIVIL – Center for Freedom and Secretary General of the New European People’s Forum.

Eyes on Democracy was created by Roger Casale and Xhabir Deralla. The podcast is produced by CIVIL Media.

Watch the full episode: