On the Paradox Kryshtopa channel, Oleh Kryshtopa conducted an in-depth interview with journalist and publicist Vitaliy Portnikov. The conversation explored his motivation for his career, the formation of identity in Soviet and post-Soviet Ukraine, and the prospects for the Russian Federation and its policies.
Portnikov shared stories from his journalism career—ranging from his handmade school newspaper and work as a Radio Svoboda correspondent in Moscow to contemporary video reporting. He emphasized that journalism is, for him, a way of conveying information and analyzing events to society, even in challenging circumstances.
Special attention was given to the topic of identity. Portnikov noted that identity is shaped by family, the state, and personal drive, adding that his experience of forming a Jewish and Kyiv identity within Soviet society helped him understand the differences between Soviet, Ukrainian, Russian, and Jewish cultures.
During the interview, Portnikov discussed his view of the reasons behind the Soviet Union's collapse and assessed the possibility of further disintegration of Russia, noting that the actual breakdown of the Russian empire is still unfinished. He stressed that the Russian-Ukrainian war is part of a global confrontation that will determine the future of empires.
Portnikov also recalled his experiences living in Moscow as a journalist with a Ukrainian passport, his involvement in Ukrainian revolutions, and the difficulties of maintaining contacts with Russians today.
The interview concluded with a discussion of language and culture in the family, the role of journalism during wartime, and the key importance of identity in resisting propaganda and fostering internal development.
This feature offers an in-depth perspective on contemporary Ukrainian-Russian relations through the eyes of a participant in modern history and media.
