IDM Director Sebastian Schäffer has joined over 500 European in signing the open letter “Europe at a Crossroads”. The letter calls for the deployment of 180,000 European troops to Ukraine, emphasizing the urgent need for a coordinated and robust response to Russia’s ongoing aggression.
The signatories—comprising policymakers, experts, and civil society leaders—stress that Europe must act decisively to uphold its democratic values, defend its borders, and ensure long-term peace and security on the continent.
Further details on the letter and its signatories are available here.
On World Book Day 2025, we’re excited to launch the audiobook version of #MyDanubeStory! Experience the book in a whole new way and immerse yourself in the rich diversity of stories – brought to life by the voices of the authors themselves. Thank you to all the authors for lending their voices and sharing their stories!
For those who prefer reading to listening: The book #MyDanubeStory, published as part of a story.one challenge marking the 70th anniversary of the IDM, is available to order online or at your local bookshop.
The conversation with Péter Techet in Tagesspiegel about how Hungary´s economy has not benefited from the political friendship between Orbán and Trump was also quoted in the German daily newspaper Handelsblatt.
The article can be read here.
The German daily newspaper Tagesspiegel spoke with Péter Techet about whether Hungary could financially benefit from the political friendship between Viktor Orbán and Donald Trump. Techet explained that U.S. tariffs within the EU primarily affect Hungary and Slovakia—two countries whose prime ministers are considered allies of Trump. Techet believes that the close relationship between Orbán and Trump is mainly beneficial for both politicians in terms of domestic politics: Orbán can present himself as a global player, while Trump can provoke the liberal and left-wing mainstream with Orbán. Economically, however, there is no special relationship between the two countries to be seen—Hungary has not yet been able to benefit from Trump’s presidency.
The article can be read here.
At the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, continued support for Ukraine was once again at the top of the agenda. In light of ongoing Russian aggression and the broader implications for Europe’s security architecture, it remains critical that the European Union acts with unity and resolve.
A key point of discussion was the implementation and potential expansion of sanctions against Russia. Disagreements among member states have slowed progress in recent months. “Especially given potential geopolitical shifts in the United States, EU unity on Ukraine is more important than ever,” IDM Director Sebastian Schäffer noted during the interview for the Cairo based news platform.
According to EU figures, two-thirds of the pledged two million rounds of artillery ammunition have already been delivered. Additional contributions from France and Norway are reinforcing military aid. However, the diplomatic dimension remains essential: “We urgently need a path toward a just peace – though such a prospect remains distant at the moment.”
Schäffer also emphasized the EU’s potential role in de-escalating tensions around the Iranian nuclear program. “The EU can – and should – act as a bridge to help prevent further escalation.”
Concerns were raised about growing divisions within EU foreign policy, particularly regarding issues such as the recognition of Kosovo and Palestine. “Diverging positions on such matters hinder a truly unified foreign policy,” the IDM Director observed.
The humanitarian aspect was also underscored: “In times of global uncertainty, it is vital that the EU continues to be seen as a credible and reliable force for international law and humanitarian assistance – regardless of political developments elsewhere, including in the United States.”
Poland took over the EU Council Presidency on January 1, 2025, with key priorities including comprehensive security and support for Ukraine in its defence war against Russia. The government in Warsaw is also pushing for EU enlargement, particularly in relation to the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership countries. In an interview for Polskie Radio, Jakub Kukla spoke with our colleague Malwina Talik on the progress of the presidency.
Listen to the full interview here.
On the online portal of the Hungarian minority in Austria (Rólunk.at), Péter Techet was interviewed about the contemporary significance of the Central European culture and the reasons behind current nationalism.
The interview can be read here.
On April 11, 2025, 32 students from Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland visited the IDM. The visit was part of the “College of Visegrád” program organized by the Hungarian National University of Public Service (NKE), which held a weekend seminar in Vienna. The students were accompanied by Gergely Prőhle, former State Secretary of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and current Director of the John Lukács Institute, as well as by Zsuzsanna Fernbach-Czibók, the program director of this institute.
Sebastian Schäffer, Director of the IDM, welcomed the students and introduced them to the history and activities of the institute. This was followed by a lecture by Péter Techet, a research associate at the IDM, on the cooperation between the Visegrád countries and Austria, as well as on Austria’s perception of the Visegrád Group in the context of political debates about illiberalism and neutrality. Afterwards, Schäffer and Techet answered lot of questions; the students were particularly interested in how the public opinion in neutral Austria perceives the countries of Central Europe and how it responds to antidemocratic tendencies, also in context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In the Hungarian-language program of the Slovak Broadcasting STVR, Péter Techet spoke about the new government in Germany and the challenges—especially regarding transatlantic relations and the war in Ukraine—that the government of Friedrich Merz must face.
The interview (in Hungarian) can be listened here.
