Director of the IIP Stephanie Fenkart spoke with Vasyl Filipchuk, Senior Advisor of the International Centre for Policy Studies in Kyiv, on the impact of the ongoing covid-19 pandemic on the political situation in Ukraine and its impacts for the war in the east. Filipchuk discusses the current public health situation in the country, growing unrest due to the lockdown, the economic impact, and the Zelensky government's response. He then turns to the ongoing conflict in Donbas and the humanitarian situation in the region. Lastly, Filipchuk addresses May 9 celebrations in Ukraine and the Soviet legacy in connection to relations to Russia today.

Vasyl Filipchuk is a top-ranked expert and analyst in foreign policy and European issues in Ukraine, a speaker and participant of Chatham House and Wilton Park events, an experienced diplomat, and an author of the European Integration Strategy of Ukraine, approved by the President’s Decree on June 11, 1998. Filipchuk previously served as a spokesman of the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine (2005–2006), Director of the Political Department at the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine (2011–2012), and Director of the EU Integration Department at the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (2012–2013).