Sebastian Schäffer on Qnews: Dialogue, deterrence and Russia’s war against Ukraine
IDM Director Sebastian Schäffer returned to Qnews’ Think Tank to discuss Russia’s war against Ukraine, NATO, European security and how Moscow may interpret recent statements from Washington.
The discussion addressed the role of deterrence, the importance of sustained support for Ukraine and the wider consequences of the war for European security. It also highlighted the challenge of engaging in dialogue when familiar Kremlin narratives continue to blur responsibility for the war, question Ukraine’s agency and create false equivalence.
Schäffer underlined that dialogue remains necessary. However, a meaningful conversation about peace has to begin with the facts: Russia started the war against Ukraine, Ukraine has the right to defend itself, and Ukrainians have the right to decide their own future.
The discussion also touched on cognitive resilience. Repeated disinformation and manipulative narratives can become more plausible through repetition alone. Recognising these patterns, checking claims and maintaining a shared understanding of reality are therefore essential for democratic societies.
Watch the full discussion on YouTube:
