Unity, Pressure, and Fragile Optimism: IDM Director on the Future of Ukraine for Asharq News

IDM Director Sebastian Schäffer recently spoke with Asharq News following a visit to Kyiv, where he assessed the current state of the war and international responses. While the conflict continues, Schäffer highlighted the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people. At the same time, he noted the heavy toll that more than three years of full-scale war has taken on the country, including on President Zelensky, who remains committed to pursuing a diplomatic resolution. 

Schäffer pointed to recent high-level visits by European leaders – among them the German Chancellor Freidrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk – as a strong signal of unity and ongoing support for Ukraine.  

Reflecting on previous trips to Ukraine, Schäffer observed a noticeable shift in the atmosphere in Kyiv, from relative calm to heightened tension, with Russia applying increased military and psychological pressure. He described the current phase as possibly Russia’s most intense push since last fall. 

Looking ahead to the proposed meeting between President Zelensky and Valdimir Putin coming Thursday in Turkey, Schäffer warned that he doesn’t expect the Kremlin to agree to a ceasefire soon, messages from Moscow already hint towards this. The Russian war economy is not prepared for peace and neither is the regime. However, if negotiations stall, frustration among international actors – including unpredictable figures like U.S. President Donald Trump – could paradoxically lead to stronger support for Ukraine. The European partners at the very least should keep up the sanctions or even find approaches to increase the pressure as well.  

Despite the challenges, Schäffer remains cautiously optimistic. Continued international engagement, he emphasized, is essential to keeping diplomatic channels open and preventing further escalation. 

You can watch the interview (in Arabic) here 

Video message by IDM Director for event on Europe Day organized by the Educational Center of the Verkhovna Rada

During his visit in Kyiv, IDM Director Sebastian Schäffer recorded a video message for participants of a special online event for Europe Day. More than 30.000 participants from Ukraine and other European countries participated in the live broadcast organised by the Educational Center of the Verkhovna Rada. We congratulate our partners to this extraordinary achievement and look forward to continue our cooperation!

The whole event can be rewatched (in Ukrainian) on YouTube, the video message is available from minute 34:00.

IDM Director in Ukraine

For the third time since the full-scale invasion, IDM Director Sebastian Schäffer went to Ukraine. This time he went back to Kyiv, meeting with several stakeholders as per the Memorandum of Understanding with the Secretariat of the Verkhovna Rada. First, Schäffer was accompanied by Tatyana Druzhchenko to Irpin and Bucha, the sites of the horrendous crimes against humanity that have been committed by the Russian army. He also saw the progress that has been made in reconstructing the city. During a working visit to the Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada, Schäffer discussed with Lesia Vaolevska among others the continuation of the webinars supporting the European integration of Ukraine (in cooperation with the University for Continuing Education Krems). Afterwards, the IDM Director met with Liliya Gerasymenko from the Educational Centre to discuss potential cooperation as part of the Democracy Workshops of the Austrian Parliament. He also recorded a short video for Europe Day.  

Finally, Schäffer was honoured to meet with Secretary General Viacheslav Shtuchnyi in the Verkhovna Rada*. Here he had the chance to get a first-hand update on current developments and have a preview of the planned statehood centre.  

Furthermore, the IDM Director met with Tetiana Bibik and Ihor Kohut from the Ukrainian Parliamentary Institute to discuss the implications of the end of USAID for Ukraine and evaluate possibilities for cooperation to alleviate the situation.  

During his time in the Ukrainian capital, Schäffer also used the possibility to exchange with friends, finding out how recent geopolitical developments have been shaping their situations and what everyday life in a country at war looks like.  

Continuing on to Lviv, the IDM Director had meetings at the OeAD Cooperation Office with Gesandter Robert Müller and Diana Popfalushi. Schäffer also met with Sasha Dovzhyk, Director of INDEX, a new but already very active and important institution fostering documentation and exchange. Future collaborations were explored and first ideas are already under development.   

Last but not least, Schäffer held a lecture entitled “No future without Kyiv. Why European integration is decided in Ukraine” at the Faculty for International Relations of the Ivan Franko University Lviv. He emphasized Ukraine’s central role in the current geopolitical struggle and its importance for the EU’s stability, security, and unity. The event drew strong interest from students, academics, diplomats, and civil society. A lively discussion followed on Ukraine’s role in European security, EU enlargement, and future cooperation. 

The event was supported by the Ukraine Office Austria, the Austrian Cooperation Office in Lviv, and the Digital Diplomacy Laboratory. 

Sebastian Schäffer is grateful for all the interesting experiences and the hospitality during his trip despite the challenging circumstances. A special thanks to Konstantin Polishchuk and Andreas Wenninger for their support. Thank you very much and see you soon! 

*Photos from Verkhovna Rada are not available as taking them is not allowed for security reasons.

Further information:

https://austriaukraine.com/uk/impressions/lektsiya-sebastiyana-sheffera-u-lvovi-2/ 

https://research.rada.gov.ua/en/news/news_en/76176.html 

IDM Director Sebastian Schäffer visits Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada in Kyiv

On 28 April 2025, the Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine welcomed Sebastian Schäffer, Director of the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM), to Kyiv, marking a significant milestone in their collaborative efforts under the Memorandum of Cooperation signed in July 2024. 

Since the memorandum’s inception, the partnership has yielded notable initiatives, including a series of educational webinars titled “Ukraine’s Path to the EU” held between November 2024 and January 2025, which attracted over 250 participants. Additionally, representatives from the Research Service have actively participated in international conferences and IDM roundtables, fostering discussions on EU enlargement challenges and issues of local self-government amid democratic transformation. 

Looking ahead, the collaboration aims to delve deeper into topics such as European values, judicial reform, the protection of fundamental human rights, and the implementation of international criminal law through a new series of webinars planned for 2025. This ongoing partnership not only enhances the analytical capacity of the Research Service but also reinforces the educational support essential for Ukraine’s European integration journey. 

The IDM remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s path toward EU accession, emphasizing the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation in achieving shared democratic goals. 

https://research.rada.gov.ua/en/news/news_en/76176.html 

 

Further Information and Related Resources:

Webinars on Ukraine’s Path towards EU Accession for the Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada

Webinar “Ukraine’s Path towards EU Accession I: History of the EU enlargement” in cooperation with the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe

Webinar “Ukraine’s Path towards EU Accession II: challenges of EU Enlargement” in cooperation with the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe

Webinar “Ukraine’s path towards EU. Accession III: Future of EU enlargement” in cooperation with the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe

IDM Director signs an open letter “Europe at a Crossroads” in support of Ukraine

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.

 

The letter has been published in further languages:

in French by Revue Esprit. Ukraine : l’Europe à l’heure des choix

https://esprit.presse.fr/actualites/esprit/ukraine-l-europe-a-l-heure-des-choix-45950

in Italian by Linkiesta. Ultima chiamata. L’appello per una presenza stabile ai confini orientali dell’Ucraina

https://www.linkiesta.it/2025/04/appello-europa-truppe-ucraina-putin-confini-guerra/

in Bulgarian by Икономически Живот. Стотици видни общественици поискаха Европа да изпрати 180 хил. военни в Украйна 

https://ikj.bg/novini/stotitsi-vidni-obshtestvenitsi-poiskaha-evropa-da-izprati-180-hil-voenni-v-ukryna/

in Norwegian by Geopolitika. Ukraina: Europa står overfor et valg. Appell til Europas stats- og regjeringssjefer 

https://geopolitika.no/ukraina-appell-til-europas-stats-og-regjeringssjefer/

in Spanish by Letras Libres. Ucrania: Europa en el momento de las decisiones 

https://letraslibres.com/politica/ucrania-europa-en-el-momento-de-las-decisiones/08/05/2025/

in Russian, on the Moscow Times Telegram channel.

Despite various attempts, the appeal has not been published in German and Polish. You can find the text in these languages as well as in Ukrainian at www.leuropeen.eu

Sebastian Schäffer for AlQahera News on the EU Foreign Affairs Council: Unity in Support for Ukraine Remains Crucial

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.” 

Webinars on Ukraine’s Path towards EU Accession for the Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada

 

In the framework of the memorandum of understanding between the IDM and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, three webinars were held between November 2024 and January 2025. In total more than 250 participants have listened to the input provided by IDM director Sebastian Schäffer, and engaged in a stimulating exchange on the history, challenges and the future of EU Enlargement.

In the first webinar, we looked back to 1973, when the first round of enlargement of the European Community (the precursor to the EU) took place, with the UK, Denmark, and Ireland joining. Afterward, 19 more countries joined the EU (and one left again). However, after the last enlargement, which was Croatia’s accession in 2013, the process of EU enlargement stalled. While the average duration of negotiations in past enlargements had been 3.5 years, Montenegro had been negotiating for over 11 years without membership in sight—a stark contrast. The reasons for this stagnation were varied, including the lengthy accession process, which often required the unanimous agreement of all EU countries.

The second webinar, the history of EU enlargement was explored, and the reasons for the halt in this process were discussed further. EU enlargement and the expansion of the single market had benefitted not only the new EU countries but also the older EU member states. However, EU enlargement had always come with many challenges—both in the past and at the time. During the major Eastern enlargement of the EU in 2004, fears of the „Polish plumber“ had emerged in France. In 2024, Polish farmers had protested against Ukrainian agricultural imports. In this webinar, the challenges that Ukraine’s EU accession presented were examined. Questions were raised, such as whether an accelerated accession was possible for the country, whether Ukraine could join while still in a state of war, and how EU and NATO membership were connected.

In the third and final webinar, we looked ahead to the next legislative period of the EU, which will be crucial for advancing enlargement. The prolonged and stalled EU enlargement processes had highlighted the need for a more effective and reformed strategy to give candidate countries a real opportunity for accession. Various approaches to revitalizing the EU enlargement process have been proposed, ranging from gradual integration through a staged accession model to primarily economic integration under a proposed European Economic Community II. Another idea is the creation of a Greater European Council, which, unlike the European Political Community, could act as a real decision-making body and helped facilitate the accession process. At the same time, the Eastern Partnership requires rethinking. Potential futures for European integration were explored and also a new model for European governance was proposed. Each session ended with a lively Q&A on the topics but also on how to foster cooperation between the Research Service and the IDM.

The cooperation will be continued with more expert input especially regarding the different chapters of the acquis communautaire. A personal exchange will also take place in Kyiv in April.

Sebastian Schäffer Signs Open Letter Urging Biden to Support Ukraine

IDM Director Sebastian Schäffer joined over 500 signatories in an open letter urging President Biden to use his remaining months in office to bolster arms supplies to Ukraine and work towards expanding NATO. This letter, published by The Kyiv Independent, Le Temps, and Linkiesta, calls on President Biden to solidify his legacy by supporting Ukraine during this crucial time.

“Regionale Perspektiven auf den Krieg in der Ukraine”: Beitrag von Sebastian Schäffer veröffentlicht

Sebastian Schäffers Buchbeitrag “Regionale Perspektiven auf den Krieg in der Ukraine” wurde im Sammelband “Krieg, Konflikt und Soziale Arbeit. Herausforderungen, Visionen und Praxen zur Friedensgestaltung” (hrsg. von Caroline Schmitt, Karsten Kiewitt, Tanja KLeibl und Ronald Lutz im Beltz Juventa Verlag) veröffentlicht. In seinem Beitrag beleuchtet Sebastian Schäffer die unterschiedlichen Perspektiven der Nachbarländer der Ukraine auf den Krieg, plädiert für ein Neudenken der östlichen Partnerschaft und den Erweiterten Europäischen Rat.  

Mehr zum Buch finden Sie hier.