In the Lawyering Peace interview series, Dr. Paul R. Williams explores the realm of peace negotiations, diplomacy, and international criminal justice with guests including seasoned peace negotiators and mediators, legal and strategic advisors, former ambassadors, prosecutors, and veterans of international criminal tribunals. Through the conversations, Dr. Williams and his guests shed light on the hurdles and triumphs of peace talks, the intricacies of negotiation strategies, the rigorous pursuit of justice in the aftermath of atrocities, and, in some instances, the lessons learned from failure. This series is a platform for the insights and wisdom of the friends and colleagues that Dr. Williams has had the honor of working with for over 30 years in the field, and offers an insider’s perspective on the complex dynamics of seeking justice and durable peace on the international stage.
Host & Executive Producer: Dr. Paul R. Williams
Co-Producer & Content Manager: Katie Hetherington
Co-Producer & Creative Manager: Ryan Westlake
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In the Lawyering Peace interview series, Dr. Paul R. Williams explores the realm of peace negotiations, diplomacy, and international criminal justice with guests including seasoned peace negotiators and mediators, legal and strategic advisors, former ambassadors, prosecutors, and veterans of international criminal tribunals. Through the conversations, Dr. Williams and his guests shed light on the hurdles and triumphs of peace talks, the intricacies of negotiation strategies, the rigorous pursuit of justice in the aftermath of atrocities, and, in some instances, the lessons learned from failure. This series is a platform for the insights and wisdom of the friends and colleagues that Dr. Williams has had the honor of working with for over 30 years in the field, and offers an insider’s perspective on the complex dynamics of seeking justice and durable peace on the international stage.
Host & Executive Producer: Dr. Paul R. Williams
Co-Producer & Content Manager: Katie Hetherington
Co-Producer & Creative Manager: Ryan Westlake
Intricacies and Challenges of Building a Peace Process for Ukraine, with Yuna Potomkina
Lawyering Peace
50 minutes 43 seconds
5 months ago
Intricacies and Challenges of Building a Peace Process for Ukraine, with Yuna Potomkina
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.
Lawyering Peace
In the Lawyering Peace interview series, Dr. Paul R. Williams explores the realm of peace negotiations, diplomacy, and international criminal justice with guests including seasoned peace negotiators and mediators, legal and strategic advisors, former ambassadors, prosecutors, and veterans of international criminal tribunals. Through the conversations, Dr. Williams and his guests shed light on the hurdles and triumphs of peace talks, the intricacies of negotiation strategies, the rigorous pursuit of justice in the aftermath of atrocities, and, in some instances, the lessons learned from failure. This series is a platform for the insights and wisdom of the friends and colleagues that Dr. Williams has had the honor of working with for over 30 years in the field, and offers an insider’s perspective on the complex dynamics of seeking justice and durable peace on the international stage.
Host & Executive Producer: Dr. Paul R. Williams
Co-Producer & Content Manager: Katie Hetherington
Co-Producer & Creative Manager: Ryan Westlake