Sebastian Schäffer on Asharq News: “A rushed agreement would endanger Ukraine and Europe alike” 

IDM Director Sebastian Schäffer appeared on Asharq News to comment on recent statements suggesting that a peace agreement to end Russia’s war against Ukraine is imminent. Schäffer urged caution, noting that the unresolved issues, particularly the situation in the Donbas and control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, are fundamental to Ukraine’s sovereignty and long-term security. 

He emphasised that credible security guarantees for Ukraine remain unclear, especially against the backdrop of rapidly shifting signals from Washington. Schäffer also criticised the lack of unity within the European Union, where governments in Hungary and Slovakia continue to undermine collective efforts on military assistance, financial support, and the release of frozen Russian assets for reconstruction, which has lately added Belgium to the club of countries hesitating to further help Ukraine. 

According to Schäffer, these divisions risk encouraging the Kremlin to increase pressure on Kyiv, assuming that Western cohesion can be easily broken. He stressed that the consequences extend far beyond Ukraine itself: “This is about the future of the entire European security architecture. A bad deal or forced concessions would fundamentally reshape the continent’s stability.” 

Schäffer called for coordinated action among EU member states and international partners, including Canada, Japan, and other like-minded actors, to prevent any agreement that weakens Ukraine or compromises Europe’s long-term security interests. 

Watch the full interview (in Arabic) here: ضعف الاتحاد الأوروبي يعرقل جهود سلام أوكرانيا | NOW الشرق