Sebastian Schäffer
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sschaeffer.bsky.social
Sebastian Schäffer
@sschaeffer.bsky.social
Director @idmvienna.bsky.social
Associate Fellow @GLOBSEC
Founder and CEO @SSCEurope
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
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...
November 20, 2025 at 11:35 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
November 13, 2025 at 10:08 AM
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
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.
November 4, 2025 at 4:22 PM
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
October 30, 2025 at 7:31 AM
🇲🇩 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.
October 28, 2025 at 3:12 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/...
October 19, 2025 at 3:25 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.
October 14, 2025 at 3:14 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
October 13, 2025 at 3:28 PM
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.
October 10, 2025 at 11:57 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...
September 29, 2025 at 5:52 AM
September 28, 2025 at 6:18 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.
September 20, 2025 at 5:31 AM
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-...
September 17, 2025 at 12:25 PM
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...
September 12, 2025 at 8:48 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...
August 27, 2025 at 9:25 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!
August 25, 2025 at 7:23 AM
On my way back from Brussels, where I participated in the final Central Europe Plus workshop on the Enlargement-Security-Nexus, hosted by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung 🇪🇺
July 16, 2025 at 12:39 PM
June 30, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Premiere heute an der VHS Landstraße: Nach zahlreichen gemeinsamen Veranstaltungen und Co-Autorenschaften nun zum ersten Mal ein kollektiver Vortrag. Natürlich zu Polen und Deutschland in der EU. Das hat trotz der Hitze großen Spaß gemacht, danke @malwinatalik.bsky.social!
June 24, 2025 at 5:53 PM
„Wenn Aufgeben keine Option ist“ – mein neuer Gastkommentar in Die Presse über meine Reise in die #Ukraine und den ungebrochenen Willen der Menschen.

👉 www.diepresse.com/19814789/wen...
June 21, 2025 at 7:57 AM
🎪 Heute beim @recetvienna.bsky.social Festival: "Europäische Un/Ordnungen"

🕔 17:50 | 📍 Altes AKH, Wien

Was passiert, wenn Ordnungen brüchig werden?
Zwischen Grenzziehung, Entgrenzung und neuen Perspektiven.

#Migration #Transformation #Diskussion #Grenzen #RECETFestival
June 5, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Two wonderful days in Aachen, interesting discussion and a well deserved @karlspreisac.bsky.social for @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu! Thank you to the academy but especially @sophiabeiter.bsky.social for giving me the opportunity to join the forum as well as the ceremony!
May 29, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Was die Kachel sagt! @jetzt.at
May 23, 2025 at 5:07 PM