Sebastian Schäffer
@sschaeffer.bsky.social
Director @idmvienna.bsky.social
Associate Fellow @GLOBSEC
Founder and CEO @SSCEurope
Associate Fellow @GLOBSEC
Founder and CEO @SSCEurope
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Danube is more than a river – it is a geopolitical corridor of Europe.
In my latest piece for European Voices, I explore how this region is crucial for EU enlargement.
Strengthening connections along the river means strengthening Europe’s future.
www.europeanvoices.eu/en/20111185/...
In my latest piece for European Voices, I explore how this region is crucial for EU enlargement.
Strengthening connections along the river means strengthening Europe’s future.
www.europeanvoices.eu/en/20111185/...
October 19, 2025 at 3:25 PM
The Danube is more than a river – it is a geopolitical corridor of Europe.
In my latest piece for European Voices, I explore how this region is crucial for EU enlargement.
Strengthening connections along the river means strengthening Europe’s future.
www.europeanvoices.eu/en/20111185/...
In my latest piece for European Voices, I explore how this region is crucial for EU enlargement.
Strengthening connections along the river means strengthening Europe’s future.
www.europeanvoices.eu/en/20111185/...
Heute in Ruse bei der Konferenz Elias Canetti – Der Ohrenzeuge des Jahrhunderts.
Mein Vortrag „Zwischen den Zeiten – Vom Exil der Vergangenheit zur Zuflucht in der Zukunft“ drehte sich um Identität, Exil und historische Umbrüche.
Ein passender Ort, um über Erinnerung und Zugehörigkeit nachzudenken.
Mein Vortrag „Zwischen den Zeiten – Vom Exil der Vergangenheit zur Zuflucht in der Zukunft“ drehte sich um Identität, Exil und historische Umbrüche.
Ein passender Ort, um über Erinnerung und Zugehörigkeit nachzudenken.
October 14, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Heute in Ruse bei der Konferenz Elias Canetti – Der Ohrenzeuge des Jahrhunderts.
Mein Vortrag „Zwischen den Zeiten – Vom Exil der Vergangenheit zur Zuflucht in der Zukunft“ drehte sich um Identität, Exil und historische Umbrüche.
Ein passender Ort, um über Erinnerung und Zugehörigkeit nachzudenken.
Mein Vortrag „Zwischen den Zeiten – Vom Exil der Vergangenheit zur Zuflucht in der Zukunft“ drehte sich um Identität, Exil und historische Umbrüche.
Ein passender Ort, um über Erinnerung und Zugehörigkeit nachzudenken.
EU integration isn’t just policy, it’s protection.
I spoke with Caucasian Journal about how the European project safeguards democracy and freedom, from Moldova and Georgia to within the Union itself.
Read more: idm.at/en/role-of-eu-integration-in-preserving-democracy-and-freedom
I spoke with Caucasian Journal about how the European project safeguards democracy and freedom, from Moldova and Georgia to within the Union itself.
Read more: idm.at/en/role-of-eu-integration-in-preserving-democracy-and-freedom
October 13, 2025 at 3:28 PM
EU integration isn’t just policy, it’s protection.
I spoke with Caucasian Journal about how the European project safeguards democracy and freedom, from Moldova and Georgia to within the Union itself.
Read more: idm.at/en/role-of-eu-integration-in-preserving-democracy-and-freedom
I spoke with Caucasian Journal about how the European project safeguards democracy and freedom, from Moldova and Georgia to within the Union itself.
Read more: idm.at/en/role-of-eu-integration-in-preserving-democracy-and-freedom
A busy and impactful week including a meeting with @beate.neos.eu and an exchange with Alma Zadic at the 6th Speak Up! Meeting hosted by @idmvienna.bsky.social 🇪🇺
Engaging discussions on democracy, the rule of law, and the challenges facing our region.
Engaging discussions on democracy, the rule of law, and the challenges facing our region.
October 10, 2025 at 11:57 AM
A busy and impactful week including a meeting with @beate.neos.eu and an exchange with Alma Zadic at the 6th Speak Up! Meeting hosted by @idmvienna.bsky.social 🇪🇺
Engaging discussions on democracy, the rule of law, and the challenges facing our region.
Engaging discussions on democracy, the rule of law, and the challenges facing our region.
Moldova’s elections are behind us, now comes the hard part: delivering on the promise of stability and progress. I have written down some observations and recommendations in the article below
www.linkedin.com/pulse/moldov...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/moldov...
September 29, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Moldova’s elections are behind us, now comes the hard part: delivering on the promise of stability and progress. I have written down some observations and recommendations in the article below
www.linkedin.com/pulse/moldov...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/moldov...
Pleasure to speak again during "How Europe Works", a programme by Martens Centre, Campus Tivoli & Schuman Institute. Presented four strategies to rethink EU enlargement thanks to @sophiabeiter.bsky.social comparative analysis that she developed in the framework of her Charlemagne Prize Fellowship.
September 20, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Pleasure to speak again during "How Europe Works", a programme by Martens Centre, Campus Tivoli & Schuman Institute. Presented four strategies to rethink EU enlargement thanks to @sophiabeiter.bsky.social comparative analysis that she developed in the framework of her Charlemagne Prize Fellowship.
Excited to be in Chișinău soon for Moldova’s pivotal elections!
Big thanks to Faustine, my co-author, for the great teamwork on our briefing.
We're hosting an event on this vote’s impact.
🇲🇩 is very important to me, can’t wait for the on-the-ground experience!
www.idm.at/en/briefing-...
Big thanks to Faustine, my co-author, for the great teamwork on our briefing.
We're hosting an event on this vote’s impact.
🇲🇩 is very important to me, can’t wait for the on-the-ground experience!
www.idm.at/en/briefing-...
September 17, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Excited to be in Chișinău soon for Moldova’s pivotal elections!
Big thanks to Faustine, my co-author, for the great teamwork on our briefing.
We're hosting an event on this vote’s impact.
🇲🇩 is very important to me, can’t wait for the on-the-ground experience!
www.idm.at/en/briefing-...
Big thanks to Faustine, my co-author, for the great teamwork on our briefing.
We're hosting an event on this vote’s impact.
🇲🇩 is very important to me, can’t wait for the on-the-ground experience!
www.idm.at/en/briefing-...
Reflecting on ReArm Europe via #Azernews: Coordination is key if EU wants real security autonomy. US & NATO remain crucial, but our capacity is growing. No shortcuts: lasting peace in Ukraine means justice, not fragile ceasefires.
www.azernews.az/analysis/247...
www.azernews.az/analysis/247...
September 12, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Reflecting on ReArm Europe via #Azernews: Coordination is key if EU wants real security autonomy. US & NATO remain crucial, but our capacity is growing. No shortcuts: lasting peace in Ukraine means justice, not fragile ceasefires.
www.azernews.az/analysis/247...
www.azernews.az/analysis/247...
Mein Beitrag „Die Donau – Plattform und Prüfstein europäischer Integration“ ist in der neuen Urban Forum Zeitung erschienen. Danke an Bernhard Müller für die Einladung! 👉 www.idm.at/idm-in-urban...
August 27, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Mein Beitrag „Die Donau – Plattform und Prüfstein europäischer Integration“ ist in der neuen Urban Forum Zeitung erschienen. Danke an Bernhard Müller für die Einladung! 👉 www.idm.at/idm-in-urban...
Featured in AzerNews “Ukraine’s Security Dilemma: Experts Debate Western Guarantees.” I argue for a binding EU Article 42.7 compact: pre-agreed defense aid, intelligence sharing, sanctions snap-back, and maritime defense. And: justice must anchor peace, not be forgotten. Thanks to Akbar Novruz!
August 25, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Featured in AzerNews “Ukraine’s Security Dilemma: Experts Debate Western Guarantees.” I argue for a binding EU Article 42.7 compact: pre-agreed defense aid, intelligence sharing, sanctions snap-back, and maritime defense. And: justice must anchor peace, not be forgotten. Thanks to Akbar Novruz!