Where the future of Europe is decided
Ukraine’s future concerns all of us. My work there connects security, democratic choice and the people who live with the consequences.
Why I work on this
In Ukraine, the future shape of the world order is being decided. That is why I keep coming back to it.
- In the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, I worked to limit the voting rights of the Russian delegation.
- In March 2022, shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion, I invited a Ukrainian parliamentary delegation to Bratislava and helped arrange meetings with Slovakia’s president, speaker of parliament and prime minister, as well as GLOBSEC.
- I was part of the team that opened GLOBSEC’s office in Kyiv and then worked there for fourteen months as Deputy Director. I worked on reports about demining and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In September 2023, I presented the PTSD report, Scars on Their Souls, at the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen in Kyiv.
- I continue to support Emile Foundation, helping with strategy, outreach and rebranding.
The same question about who gets to decide has taken me to Dharamshala, where I represented Slovakia and spoke with the Dalai Lama.
Reports and further reading
- Walking on Fire: Demining in Ukraine, GLOBSEC, April 2023.
- Scars on Their Souls: PTSD and Veterans of Ukraine, GLOBSEC, September 2023.
- GLOBSEC on the Ukrainian delegation’s visit to Bratislava, 31 March 2022.
- The Ukrainian parliament’s account of the visit, 30 March 2022.
Where you can meet me
Every year I take part in conferences about security and the future of European politics, among them GLOBSEC Forum, the Black Sea Security Forum, Yalta European Strategy and Price of War in London. Next up: Future Forces Forum.
Support Emile Foundation
Emile Foundation works to bring home Ukrainian children who were taken to Russia and Russian-controlled territory, and to support them and their families.
In the media
- Critics warn of espionage risks as Slovakia restores military diplomatic representation with Russia, Deutsche Welle, October 2026
- Hungary: How Orban’s election loss impacts Central Europe, Deutsche Welle, April 2026
- Poliačik: Putinovo slovo je bezcenné, chce vyhladiť ukrajinský národ, Startitup — Za hranicou, May 2026 (in Slovak)
- Poliačik v Aréne: Unesené deti v Rusku neraz páchajú samovraždy, Aréna s Janou Krescanko Dibákovou, March 2025 (in Slovak)
- Not forgetting the war in Ukraine, Radio Slovakia International — Topical Issue, February 2025
- Červené linie jsme měli Rusku dávat my, Deep Talks #199, October 2024 (in Czech)
- Interview with Slovakian intellectual Martin Poliacik on the drug war and Ukraine, Antony Loewenstein, June 2022
- Poliačik: Globsec sa na Ukrajine pozerá do budúcnosti, Pravda / TA3, February 2024 (in Slovak)
- GLOBSEC started its official office activities in Kyiv with meetings at the highest level, GLOBSEC (press release), October 2022
- Proč je dnes tak velký rozdíl mezi Čechy a Slováky?, Deep Talks #168, June 2023 (in Czech)
- Svet sa láme a my na to nie sme pripravení, Michal Truban Podcast #88, May 2026 (in Slovak)
- Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Slovakian Parliament welcomes Tibetan Parliamentarians, Central Tibetan Administration (tibet.net), June 2014
- CTA President arrives on maiden visit to Slovakia, calls on Deputy Speaker and MPs, Tibet Bureau Geneva (tibetoffice.ch), October 2018
- Poliačik tlmočil dalajlámovi, že Kiska bude skvelým prezidentom, TASR / Teraz.sk, May 2014 (in Slovak)
Where shall we take this?
Tell me what you would like to explore. If we have met, remind me where. I’ll reply personally. You can also write to hello@poliacik.ai.