What does it take to negotiate peace when your opponent uses diplomacy as a tool for delay and manipulation? What lessons can we draw from the Minsk process to design a more durable peace in the future?

In this episode of Lawyering Peace, Ukrainian lawyer and mediator Yuna Potomkina joins Dr. Paul R. Williams to reflect on the shortcomings of past negotiations and the essential principles for shaping future peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.

Drawing from her experience as Adviser to the First Deputy Head of Ukraine’s negotiation delegation at the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk (2020–2022), Potomkina explains why peace agreements without enforceable guarantees fall short—and why justice cannot be sidelined.

She unpacks the risks of rushed or externally driven negotiations, and makes a compelling case for Ukrainian-led, legally sound, and strategically aligned peace efforts.

The conversation highlights how mediators must navigate asymmetry, protect Ukraine’s red lines, and ensure accountability is non-negotiable.

🎧 Tune in for a powerful discussion on justice, strategy, and designing a peace process that can stand the test of time.

What do negotiations look like when one party to peace talks never intended to negotiate in good faith? What can we learn from peace talks that didn’t lead to peace?

In this episode of Lawyering Peace, former Danish diplomat Ivan M. Nielsen joins Dr. Paul R. Williams to reflect on his role as Denmark’s Special Envoy to the Syrian Opposition during the UN-backed Geneva peace talks.

Nielsen offers an insider's view of the Geneva process, describing how the Assad regime went through the motions of negotiation while continuing attacks on civilians—with Russia’s backing. He discusses the complex dynamics of engaging with a fragmented opposition, the structural challenges posed by the UN framework, and the difficulty of maintaining a meaningful diplomatic process under asymmetrical conditions.

Drawing on his experience in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and South Africa, Nielsen shares core lessons that are important for both Syria and other post-conflict states. Nielson offers us a cautious but enduring message of optimism about Syria’s long road ahead.

🎧 Tune in for an insightful and thoughtful discussion on diplomacy, accountability, and the struggle for peace in Syria.

Why does the crime of aggression matter for Ukraine and international peace?

How can a Special Tribunal hold Russian leaders accountable? In this episode of Lawyering Peace, Ukrainian international lawyer Dr. Gaiane Nuridzhanian joins the conversation to explain the case for a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

Dr. Nuridzhanian walks us through the evolution of the debate surrounding the crime of aggression, and presents a treaty-based tribunal—supported by Ukraine and the Council of Europe—as a legally sound, politically feasible alternative.

The conversation explores legal and strategic questions around the establishment of such a tribunal, from head-of-state immunity and trials in absentia to the inclusion of victims and its implications for future peace negotiations.

In a moment when the rules-based international legal order is under threat, our conversation with Dr. Nuridzhanian reminds us why prosecuting Russia’s war of aggression is critical not just for Ukraine, but for global accountability and future conflict prevention. Tune in for a timely discussion on justice, accountability, and international legal innovation.

----------------------- Ukraine and its allies stand at a critical juncture as they pursue a just and lasting peace and an end to Russia’s war of aggression. The road ahead is fraught with difficult issues that will arise during a future peace process, from territorial integrity and post-war security frameworks to EU accession and justice and accountability.

In this special mini-series, Prospects for Peace In Ukraine, we sit down with Ukrainian and international experts in law, diplomacy, and peace negotiations to explore some of these key issues. Together, we examine the strategies, options, and opportunities ahead as Ukraine and its allies navigate the peace process against a shifting international landscape.