Sebastian Schäffer
@sschaeffer.bsky.social
Director @idmvienna.bsky.social
Associate Fellow @GLOBSEC
Founder and CEO @SSCEurope
Associate Fellow @GLOBSEC
Founder and CEO @SSCEurope
Pinned
📖 1 Jahr "Vor 100 Jahren in der Zukunft". Der Titel ist inspiriert von einem Restaurant in Kyjiw, das ich 2023 besucht habe. Das Buch handelt von meiner Reise und meinen Eindrücken vor Ort. Ich empfehle allen sich ein Bild über die Situation in der Ukraine zu machen, und nicht vorschnell zu urteilen
Reposted by Sebastian Schäffer
On 20 November, as part of our Ambassador Talks series, IDM had the pleasure of hosting a discussion with H.E. Victoria Rosa, Ambassador of the Republic of #Moldova to Austria and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Moldova to the OSCE and other International Organizations in Vienna.
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December 3, 2025 at 2:01 PM
On 20 November, as part of our Ambassador Talks series, IDM had the pleasure of hosting a discussion with H.E. Victoria Rosa, Ambassador of the Republic of #Moldova to Austria and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Moldova to the OSCE and other International Organizations in Vienna.
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At today’s TimeToDecide Summit the focus was clear: Europe must become the most attractive place to live, work, and invest. From finally delivering a true Capital Markets Union to creating conditions that draw talent and ambition rather than lose them.
December 2, 2025 at 10:11 PM
At today’s TimeToDecide Summit the focus was clear: Europe must become the most attractive place to live, work, and invest. From finally delivering a true Capital Markets Union to creating conditions that draw talent and ambition rather than lose them.
Spoke with Al-Qahera News about the latest debate on ceasefire. Any negotiation must include Ukraine itself and only a just peace can be a lasting one.
EU unity and credible security guarantees remain essential.
Short clip: m.youtube.com/shorts/_upFC...
Full interview: m.youtube.com/watch?v=zx7y...
EU unity and credible security guarantees remain essential.
Short clip: m.youtube.com/shorts/_upFC...
Full interview: m.youtube.com/watch?v=zx7y...
December 1, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Spoke with Al-Qahera News about the latest debate on ceasefire. Any negotiation must include Ukraine itself and only a just peace can be a lasting one.
EU unity and credible security guarantees remain essential.
Short clip: m.youtube.com/shorts/_upFC...
Full interview: m.youtube.com/watch?v=zx7y...
EU unity and credible security guarantees remain essential.
Short clip: m.youtube.com/shorts/_upFC...
Full interview: m.youtube.com/watch?v=zx7y...
Reposted by Sebastian Schäffer
On this day 34 years ago, Ukrainians stood united and cast their votes in a historic referendum.
An overwhelming 90% voted for independence, breaking free from the Soviet Union and paving the way for a sovereign Ukraine.
An overwhelming 90% voted for independence, breaking free from the Soviet Union and paving the way for a sovereign Ukraine.
December 1, 2025 at 2:49 PM
On this day 34 years ago, Ukrainians stood united and cast their votes in a historic referendum.
An overwhelming 90% voted for independence, breaking free from the Soviet Union and paving the way for a sovereign Ukraine.
An overwhelming 90% voted for independence, breaking free from the Soviet Union and paving the way for a sovereign Ukraine.
December at IDM brings events that address the realities shaping our region: from Victoria Amelina’s and Roman Chornomaz’s legacy to documentary photography, women’s experiences of war, EU enlargement, and Moldova’s current challenges. Join us in Vienna or online for these essential conversations.
A series of events await this December! ❄️
Join us for a wide range of discussions, lectures and expert talks on developments in our region.
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Join us for a wide range of discussions, lectures and expert talks on developments in our region.
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December 1, 2025 at 6:46 PM
December at IDM brings events that address the realities shaping our region: from Victoria Amelina’s and Roman Chornomaz’s legacy to documentary photography, women’s experiences of war, EU enlargement, and Moldova’s current challenges. Join us in Vienna or online for these essential conversations.
Reposted by Sebastian Schäffer
A series of events await this December! ❄️
Join us for a wide range of discussions, lectures and expert talks on developments in our region.
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Join us for a wide range of discussions, lectures and expert talks on developments in our region.
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December 1, 2025 at 3:32 PM
A series of events await this December! ❄️
Join us for a wide range of discussions, lectures and expert talks on developments in our region.
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Join us for a wide range of discussions, lectures and expert talks on developments in our region.
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If the latest reports are accurate, then Donald Trump is not only prepared to sell out Ukraine - he is prepared to sell out all of us. Recognising occupied Ukrainian territory as Russian would shatter the basic principles of European security and reward aggression in a way that invites more of it.
Trump hands Putin Ukraine’s occupied territories
US president sends envoys to Moscow with peace plan that recognises Russia’s war gains
www.telegraph.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 2:33 PM
If the latest reports are accurate, then Donald Trump is not only prepared to sell out Ukraine - he is prepared to sell out all of us. Recognising occupied Ukrainian territory as Russian would shatter the basic principles of European security and reward aggression in a way that invites more of it.
Grateful for the invitation to speak at last night’s dinner hosted by H.E. Ambassador Peter Potman at the Dutch Residence in Vienna.
A great opportunity to exchange views with colleagues active across the region on the future of European integration, enlargement and democratic resilience.
A great opportunity to exchange views with colleagues active across the region on the future of European integration, enlargement and democratic resilience.
November 28, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Grateful for the invitation to speak at last night’s dinner hosted by H.E. Ambassador Peter Potman at the Dutch Residence in Vienna.
A great opportunity to exchange views with colleagues active across the region on the future of European integration, enlargement and democratic resilience.
A great opportunity to exchange views with colleagues active across the region on the future of European integration, enlargement and democratic resilience.
Reposted by Sebastian Schäffer
You may be aware of IDM's work, but do you know about the team’s extra activities? Here are some highlights from this month 👇
🔹 Sebastian Schäffer & Sophia Beiter contributed a comment for @diepressecom.bsky.social on the long-term consequences of Germany's extension of border controls.
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🔹 Sebastian Schäffer & Sophia Beiter contributed a comment for @diepressecom.bsky.social on the long-term consequences of Germany's extension of border controls.
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November 28, 2025 at 12:12 PM
You may be aware of IDM's work, but do you know about the team’s extra activities? Here are some highlights from this month 👇
🔹 Sebastian Schäffer & Sophia Beiter contributed a comment for @diepressecom.bsky.social on the long-term consequences of Germany's extension of border controls.
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🔹 Sebastian Schäffer & Sophia Beiter contributed a comment for @diepressecom.bsky.social on the long-term consequences of Germany's extension of border controls.
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Tomorrow starts the IDM birthday week with lots of events!
Looking forward to moderating our annual IDM Conference on 4 December at the House of the European Union in Vienna: "Shifting Narratives of Enlargement."
Register here: www.idm.at/events/shift...
Looking forward to moderating our annual IDM Conference on 4 December at the House of the European Union in Vienna: "Shifting Narratives of Enlargement."
Register here: www.idm.at/events/shift...
November 27, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Tomorrow starts the IDM birthday week with lots of events!
Looking forward to moderating our annual IDM Conference on 4 December at the House of the European Union in Vienna: "Shifting Narratives of Enlargement."
Register here: www.idm.at/events/shift...
Looking forward to moderating our annual IDM Conference on 4 December at the House of the European Union in Vienna: "Shifting Narratives of Enlargement."
Register here: www.idm.at/events/shift...
🇲🇩➡️🇪🇺 I had the pleasure of moderating this discussion with Ambassador Victoria Roșa on Moldova’s European path last week. A key moment for Chișinău and the wider region. Thanks also for sharing Moldovan culture with the wine at the reception.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUAE...
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUAE...
November 26, 2025 at 7:15 PM
🇲🇩➡️🇪🇺 I had the pleasure of moderating this discussion with Ambassador Victoria Roșa on Moldova’s European path last week. A key moment for Chișinău and the wider region. Thanks also for sharing Moldovan culture with the wine at the reception.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUAE...
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUAE...
Vielen Dank für den guten Austausch mit Benedikt Schmidinger, Geschäftsführer des Europa-Forum Wachau. In Kooperation mit der UWK und der ARGE Donauländer freuen wir uns darauf, den Donau-Salon auch im kommenden Jahr gemeinsam weiterzuführen und neue Impulse für die Region zu setzen.
November 25, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Vielen Dank für den guten Austausch mit Benedikt Schmidinger, Geschäftsführer des Europa-Forum Wachau. In Kooperation mit der UWK und der ARGE Donauländer freuen wir uns darauf, den Donau-Salon auch im kommenden Jahr gemeinsam weiterzuführen und neue Impulse für die Region zu setzen.
Reposted by Sebastian Schäffer
The European Commission recently published its enlargement package and its assessments of Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans.
From Brussels, Sophia Beiter highlights which candidates have made real progress – and where concerns remain, from rule of law to economic convergence.
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From Brussels, Sophia Beiter highlights which candidates have made real progress – and where concerns remain, from rule of law to economic convergence.
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November 25, 2025 at 2:24 PM
The European Commission recently published its enlargement package and its assessments of Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans.
From Brussels, Sophia Beiter highlights which candidates have made real progress – and where concerns remain, from rule of law to economic convergence.
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From Brussels, Sophia Beiter highlights which candidates have made real progress – and where concerns remain, from rule of law to economic convergence.
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Reposted by Sebastian Schäffer
🗓️ As next week marks IDM’s anniversary, we cordially invite you to our annual IDM conference, along with two additional events.
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November 24, 2025 at 3:10 PM
🗓️ As next week marks IDM’s anniversary, we cordially invite you to our annual IDM conference, along with two additional events.
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Participating in the WB Fellowship Jubilee Event at the Austrian Parliament today highlighted once again how essential credible EU integration remains for the region. Great to exchange with policymakers, experts, and alumni on strengthening cooperation, institutional exchange, democratic resilience.
November 24, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Participating in the WB Fellowship Jubilee Event at the Austrian Parliament today highlighted once again how essential credible EU integration remains for the region. Great to exchange with policymakers, experts, and alumni on strengthening cooperation, institutional exchange, democratic resilience.
Während die Ukraine immer stärker in Richtung Kapitulation gedrängt wird, gefährden wir unsere Freiheit auch im Inneren: Durch die Rückkehr von Binnengrenzkontrollen und populistische Scheinpolitik wird Schengen Schritt für Schritt ausgehöhlt.
November 22, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Während die Ukraine immer stärker in Richtung Kapitulation gedrängt wird, gefährden wir unsere Freiheit auch im Inneren: Durch die Rückkehr von Binnengrenzkontrollen und populistische Scheinpolitik wird Schengen Schritt für Schritt ausgehöhlt.
The US ‘peace plan’ for Ukraine dresses capitulation up as pragmatism. Freezing current lines, demanding concessions, blocking NATO membership and easing sanctions mean: rewarding aggression and inviting more war. A just peace must protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and the rules that keep Europe secure.
Why the Reported US Peace Plan for Ukraine Misses the Target
Recent reporting on the allegedly proposed US peace plan for Ukraine suggests an attempt to ‘stabilise’ the conflict. Yet behind the language of pragmatism lies a set of proposals that would entrench ...
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-reported-us-peace-plan-ukraine-misses-target-sebastian-schäffer-v6vif/?trackingId=lKOOSrltS8%2B%2FVtpHlVm4ow%3D%3D
November 21, 2025 at 8:55 AM
The US ‘peace plan’ for Ukraine dresses capitulation up as pragmatism. Freezing current lines, demanding concessions, blocking NATO membership and easing sanctions mean: rewarding aggression and inviting more war. A just peace must protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and the rules that keep Europe secure.
Make Europe Greater Again!
@sophiabeiter.bsky.social breaks down the EC's enlargement reports, while I highlight what the EU must change internally to make enlargement credible.
From 🇺🇦 and 🇲🇩 to the WB6 the message is clear: It is time to make enlargement real!
Watch here: www.idm.at/idm-short-in...
@sophiabeiter.bsky.social breaks down the EC's enlargement reports, while I highlight what the EU must change internally to make enlargement credible.
From 🇺🇦 and 🇲🇩 to the WB6 the message is clear: It is time to make enlargement real!
Watch here: www.idm.at/idm-short-in...
November 20, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Make Europe Greater Again!
@sophiabeiter.bsky.social breaks down the EC's enlargement reports, while I highlight what the EU must change internally to make enlargement credible.
From 🇺🇦 and 🇲🇩 to the WB6 the message is clear: It is time to make enlargement real!
Watch here: www.idm.at/idm-short-in...
@sophiabeiter.bsky.social breaks down the EC's enlargement reports, while I highlight what the EU must change internally to make enlargement credible.
From 🇺🇦 and 🇲🇩 to the WB6 the message is clear: It is time to make enlargement real!
Watch here: www.idm.at/idm-short-in...
The DRC annual conference has opened at the University of Tuzla feat. inspiring words from distinguished speakers: Daniel David, DRC President and Romania’s Minister of Education and Research, Nermina Hadžigrahić, DRC Vice-President, Friedrich Faulhammer, Chairman of the @idmvienna.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 10:08 AM
The DRC annual conference has opened at the University of Tuzla feat. inspiring words from distinguished speakers: Daniel David, DRC President and Romania’s Minister of Education and Research, Nermina Hadžigrahić, DRC Vice-President, Friedrich Faulhammer, Chairman of the @idmvienna.bsky.social
Glad to be back in Aachen for the Freedom of Research European Summit. Very proud of @sophiabeiter.bsky.social and her impressive work as Charlemagne Prize Fellow 2024/25. It has been a pleasure to work with her and see this relevant research coming together.
November 6, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Glad to be back in Aachen for the Freedom of Research European Summit. Very proud of @sophiabeiter.bsky.social and her impressive work as Charlemagne Prize Fellow 2024/25. It has been a pleasure to work with her and see this relevant research coming together.
Spannender Vormittag beim 1. Science Diplomacy Roundtable.
Als @idmvienna.bsky.social arbeiten wir seit 1953 an der Schnittstelle von Wissenschaft, Diplomatie, Politik und Zivilgesellschaft – umso erfreulicher, dass dieses Zusammenspiel nun auch auf nationaler Ebene stärker in den Fokus rückt.
Als @idmvienna.bsky.social arbeiten wir seit 1953 an der Schnittstelle von Wissenschaft, Diplomatie, Politik und Zivilgesellschaft – umso erfreulicher, dass dieses Zusammenspiel nun auch auf nationaler Ebene stärker in den Fokus rückt.
November 4, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Spannender Vormittag beim 1. Science Diplomacy Roundtable.
Als @idmvienna.bsky.social arbeiten wir seit 1953 an der Schnittstelle von Wissenschaft, Diplomatie, Politik und Zivilgesellschaft – umso erfreulicher, dass dieses Zusammenspiel nun auch auf nationaler Ebene stärker in den Fokus rückt.
Als @idmvienna.bsky.social arbeiten wir seit 1953 an der Schnittstelle von Wissenschaft, Diplomatie, Politik und Zivilgesellschaft – umso erfreulicher, dass dieses Zusammenspiel nun auch auf nationaler Ebene stärker in den Fokus rückt.
Reposted by Sebastian Schäffer
💼The IDM team's work is not limited to what happens at the institute! Here are some glimpses of their extra activities during this second half of October.
@sschaeffer.bsky.social, IDM Director:
🔸 Article for @thejamestownfdn.bsky.social on Ukrainians Work Toward Options for Post-War Justice;
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@sschaeffer.bsky.social, IDM Director:
🔸 Article for @thejamestownfdn.bsky.social on Ukrainians Work Toward Options for Post-War Justice;
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October 31, 2025 at 11:33 AM
💼The IDM team's work is not limited to what happens at the institute! Here are some glimpses of their extra activities during this second half of October.
@sschaeffer.bsky.social, IDM Director:
🔸 Article for @thejamestownfdn.bsky.social on Ukrainians Work Toward Options for Post-War Justice;
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@sschaeffer.bsky.social, IDM Director:
🔸 Article for @thejamestownfdn.bsky.social on Ukrainians Work Toward Options for Post-War Justice;
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My new article for @thejamestownfdn.bsky.social looks at how Ukrainians are preparing for post-war justice from accountability frameworks to reparations and memory work.
Read here: jamestown.org/program/ukrainians-work-toward-options-for-post-war-justice
Read here: jamestown.org/program/ukrainians-work-toward-options-for-post-war-justice
October 30, 2025 at 7:31 AM
My new article for @thejamestownfdn.bsky.social looks at how Ukrainians are preparing for post-war justice from accountability frameworks to reparations and memory work.
Read here: jamestown.org/program/ukrainians-work-toward-options-for-post-war-justice
Read here: jamestown.org/program/ukrainians-work-toward-options-for-post-war-justice
🇲🇩 Neue Gesichter, alte Herausforderungen – ein kurzer Blick auf das neue Parlament und Kabinett in Chișinău
Mit der Konstituierung des 12. Parlaments und der Bildung des Kabinetts von Alexandru Munteanu setzt Moldau seinen pro-europäischen Kurs fort – trotz fragmentierter Parlamentslandschaft.
Mit der Konstituierung des 12. Parlaments und der Bildung des Kabinetts von Alexandru Munteanu setzt Moldau seinen pro-europäischen Kurs fort – trotz fragmentierter Parlamentslandschaft.
October 28, 2025 at 3:12 PM
🇲🇩 Neue Gesichter, alte Herausforderungen – ein kurzer Blick auf das neue Parlament und Kabinett in Chișinău
Mit der Konstituierung des 12. Parlaments und der Bildung des Kabinetts von Alexandru Munteanu setzt Moldau seinen pro-europäischen Kurs fort – trotz fragmentierter Parlamentslandschaft.
Mit der Konstituierung des 12. Parlaments und der Bildung des Kabinetts von Alexandru Munteanu setzt Moldau seinen pro-europäischen Kurs fort – trotz fragmentierter Parlamentslandschaft.
Reposted by Sebastian Schäffer
A surveillance camera captured the moment a Russian strike hit a Kyiv resident’s apartment on Oct. 22. The strike killed two and injured 29 in the city, and several fires broke out.
Video: Tetyana Kotelenets
Video: Tetyana Kotelenets
October 24, 2025 at 1:17 PM
A surveillance camera captured the moment a Russian strike hit a Kyiv resident’s apartment on Oct. 22. The strike killed two and injured 29 in the city, and several fires broke out.
Video: Tetyana Kotelenets
Video: Tetyana Kotelenets