DEMOCRACY DURING WARTIME

In this episode of The Power Vertical Podcast, host Brian Whitmore speaks with Volodymyr Kulyk, Dylan Combellick, and Michael Carpenter about the growing protests in Ukraine following President Zelensky’s controversial move to curb anti-corruption agencies. As demonstrations erupt across major cities, civil society pushes back against what many see as a breach of democratic norms in the middle of war. The conversation explores whether a red line has been crossed—and what that means for public trust, wartime governance, and Ukraine’s democratic future. The guests unpack the origins of these key institutions, their role since the 2014 Revolution of Dignity, and how this moment echoes past political tensions. It’s a deep dive into democracy under siege—and why Ukrainians are demanding its protection now more than ever.