iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 29/09/2026

The political centre will not recover by simply defending the status quo. In my latest Q News interview, I argue that Europe needs to get better at telling a story about the future, instead of leaving the field to those selling an imagined past. www.youtube.com/watch?v=okoY...

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 28/09/2026

Sometimes it is just black and white. Two recent comments for @tvpworld.bsky.social on very different questions of European security.

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 25/09/2026

I have spoken quite a bit about the AfD result already, so one point only: The answer is not to copy the AfD. It is to deliver. On the economy, migration, security and the belief that politics can still change things for the better. My latest conversation with Fair Observer:

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 21/09/2026

Update: the CDU failed to enter parliament in Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern. After Saxony‑Anhalt, this is a cataclysmic result for Friedrich Merz. The question now is not how to save a chancellorship, but how to rebuild a political centre capable of shaping a future worth being nostalgic for.

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 20/09/2026

Fast so spannend wie ob die CDU in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern aus dem Landtag fliegt

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 20/09/2026

The results are in. After my interview with @tvpworld.bsky.social this morning, one point feels essential: we should not reduce these elections to a simple story about the rise of the AfD and the decline of the established parties.

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 20/09/2026

Yesterday on QNews I spoke about the Graham Act, possible peace talks and the consequences for Europe. The Act gives Washington new leverage, but it is not an immediate sanctions package against Russia. How it will actually be used remains uncertain.

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 08/09/2026

The most important number in Saxony-Anhalt is not the AfD’s 43.8%. It is the CDU’s 17.2%. That is the real story of this election.

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 03/09/2026

A full room in Podgorica yesterday for an excellent discussion on how to make EU enlargement more understandable, relevant and engaging for citizens. Thank you to everyone who joined: diplomats, government representatives, civil-society actors and journalists.

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 30/08/2026

“Bangaranga” is what Kremlin talking points sound like to me: catchy, repetitive and annoying. Cognitive resilience means recognising the pattern, checking claims and not letting repetition turn propaganda into plausibility. Glad that Qnews makes room for these conversations. Link below.

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 25/08/2026

AfD gains not only from migration, but from distrust, insecurity and mainstream weakness. Copying its rhetoric will not win voters back. Leaving Schengen and the euro is not a solution. It is economic and political self-harm. Austria shows: normalising the far right strengthens it.

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UNITED24 @u24.gov.ua · 25/08/2026

Over the past 24 hours, civilian sites were targeted. A shopping mall, a residential building, businesses, road and forestry infrastructure, and metal structures. Help protect Ukrainians. u24.gov.ua/sky-defense?...

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 18/08/2026

Hybrid threats against Germany are not confined to cyberspace. Disinformation, foreign interference, sabotage and attacks on critical infrastructure aim to create insecurity and undermine trust in democratic institutions.

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 12/08/2026

Spoke to TVP World on the AfD polling at 42% in Saxony-Anhalt. This is a danger to democracy, with consequences far beyond Magdeburg. A weaker Germany could mean a weaker Europe, less strategic leadership and less certainty for Ukraine.

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 11/08/2026

Jabloko darf nicht zur Wahl antreten. 2009 habe ich bei der Wahl zur Moskauer Stadtduma Jabloko gewählt. Ohne Wahlrecht. Die Geschichte dazu steht in meinem Buch Ukraine & Moldau nach Europa – sofort!. Meldung und Buch im ersten Kommentar.

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 08/08/2026

Ukraine’s resilience is extraordinary but resilience is not a substitute for air defence, energy repairs and sustained European support. On QNews, I discussed Serbia, the South Caucasus, Black Sea trade and Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy system.

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 03/08/2026

Talked about productive impatience, fatherhood, mentorship, and the fact that none of us has this fully figured out at The Dr. Rod Berger Show. Humility is not weakness. It is how we keep learning. Thank you for one of the most challenging but also interesting conversations I have had recently!

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The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com · 01/08/2026

⚡️Update: At least 9 killed, 28 injured in Kyiv as Russia launches 2nd major attack in 48 hours. Among the victims are four children, while 105 people have been rescued from damaged buildings across five districts of the capital.

kyivindependent.com

'Putin has to be stopped' — 9 killed, 28 injured in Kyiv as Russia launches 2nd major attack on Ukraine in 48 hours

At least nine people have been killed and 28 others injured in the ballistic missile attack, including four children, authorities reported.

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UNITED24 @u24.gov.ua · 01/08/2026

The terrorist state ruthlessly attacked Ukraine’s capital, killing 9 innocent people as they slept, and injuring more than 30. Among the wounded are 4 children. Across Ukraine, russia launched 35 missiles and 185 attack drones. Help protect Ukrainians: u24.gov.ua/sky-defense?...

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 14/07/2026

I returned to War & Politics 24 to discuss what the Kremlin’s latest statements really tell us about the war against Ukraine. Russia is under pressure at home, while strikes on refineries are hitting its war economy. Thanks to Maxym Krapivnyy for the invitation. www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaw0...

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 09/07/2026

Spoke to Al Qahera News after Trump's NATO summit press conference on Iran and Ukraine. Iran strikes lack coherent strategy. Patriots won't shift the Ukraine battlefield, but Tomahawks could. 🎥 youtube.com/shorts/XBqkT...

youtube.com

هرمز كلمة السر.. كيف تستعد إيران للرد على التصعيد الأمريكي؟ | سيباستيان شيفر يوضح السيناريوهات

YouTube video by AlQahera News - القاهرة الإخبارية

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 06/07/2026

In meiner Arbeit beim IDM sehe ich jeden Tag, wie wichtig unabhängiger Journalismus und gute Einordnung für demokratische Debatten sind. Wir brauchen Medien, die genau hinschauen und unabhängig bleiben. Probiert es einfach mal aus: www.jetzt.at/einladung/ss...

jetzt.at

JETZT.at

Unabhängiger Journalismus, von Mitgliedern finanziert

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 04/07/2026

Returned to on Qnewsegy to talk about the upcoming NATO summit, to discuss the upcoming NATO summit, the grim milestone of 2 million casualties in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and likely future developments on the battlefield and in Western support. www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXHH...

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 03/07/2026

Great discussion today on connectivity, regional cooperation & European perspectives in the South Caucasus with Federica Mangiameli (GLOBSEC) & Rusif Huseynov, moderated by Ninon Bouteloup. Also glad to see IDM and the Topchubashov Center sign an MoU. Recording: www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6kX...

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 22/06/2026

🇲🇩🇪🇺 56% of EU citizens support enlargement but national divides tell a different story. Spoke with Moldova 1 in Chișinău: Moldova may be ready before key EU capitals are. Building alliances matters as much as reforms. 🗓️ Timely on Moldova–EU Summit day. 👉 youtu.be/LOl9LA2VtD4?...

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 15/06/2026

Yesterday’s missile attack on Kyiv and the damage to the Pechersk Lavra cathedral underline what I discuss in a new FO° Talks with Rohan Khattar Singh: how Trump’s focus on the Iran war affects support for Ukraine and European security: www.idm.at/en/idm-direc...

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Beate Meinl-Reisinger @beate.neos.eu · 15/06/2026

Letzte Nacht hat Russland Kyiv erneut mit Raketen überzogen. Mindestens vier Menschen sind tot, fast 30 verletzt. Auch Teile des UNESCO-Weltkulturerbes Kiewer Höhlenkloster standen in Flammen.

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Maksym Polyakov 🇺🇦🌻 @maksympolyakov.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Russia launched a massive attack on Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine - more than 50 missiles and over 400 UAVs (drones). t.me/mon1tor_ua/6...

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 06/06/2026

Great format by Qnews, pleasure to appear on Think Tank. The momentum in the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is shifting, we do want to have Kyiv on our side, therefore we need to continue and expand our support. youtu.be/zPdCTY5RF1o?...

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 29/05/2026

🇺🇦🇪🇺 Friedrich Merz has proposed "associate membership" for Ukraine, presenting it as a pragmatic bridge toward full EU accession. Together with @sophiabeiter.bsky.social, I argue that European history should give us pause. Read the full article here: www.linkedin.com/pulse/associ...

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Beate Meinl-Reisinger @beate.neos.eu · 29/05/2026

Ich habe den russischen Botschafter in Wien einbestellen lassen, um Österreichs Protest gegen die russische Eskalation unmissverständlich zum Ausdruck zu bringen. Europa lässt sich nicht einschüchtern. www.krone.at/4158668

krone.at

Österreich bestellt nun russischen Botschafter ein

Als Reaktion auf den russischen Drohneneinschlag in Rumänien hat Österreichs Außenministerin Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS) den russischen Botschafter ...

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 26/05/2026

On QNews a few days ago from Prague during the Globsec Forum: the EU is the only credible honest broker in the US-Iran war. China wants to be the pivot of a new multilateral order but wanting it and exposing yourself diplomatically are two different things. www.idm.at/idm-director...

idm.at

IDM Director Sebastian Schäffer on QNews: European Diplomacy as the Key to US-Iran De-escalation - IDM

IDM Director Sebastian Schäffer was invited as an expert guest on QNews’s In-Depthprogramme to analyse the rapidly evolving US-Iran standoff, Pakistan’s mediation role, and the prospects for European ...

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UNITED24 @u24.gov.ua · 24/05/2026

After russia’s overnight strike, the owner of a Kyiv café —which officially opened just yesterday—began giving out free coffee to people despite the damage caused by the attack. This is how Ukrainian businesses endure. Support unbreakable people: u24.gov.ua/sky-defense?...

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 20/05/2026

🇦🇹🇭🇺🇨🇿🇸🇰🇸🇮🇭🇷 Neuer Gastbeitrag in Die Presse PéterTechet: www.diepresse.com/24805725/die... Warum die Zeit reif ist für eine „Schönbrunn Six" – und wie sie funktionieren könnte. 📄 IDM Policy Paper dazu: www.idm.at/idm-pps-5-20...

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 13/05/2026

Nuclear threats and parade warnings project strength at home but in foreign policy terms, they can equally be read as signs of growing weakness. New interview on Kremlin propaganda, factions inside Russia, and the question: what comes after Putin? www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kkn-...

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 12/05/2026

If you had told me that I would be arguing for a new minilateral format in a policy paper, I would have laughed. But here we are. Drafted somewhere in the Carpathian Mountains, and sharpened together with Peter Techet. Many thanks to our excellent editors! www.idm.at/idm-pps-5-20...

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 08/05/2026

Since January, I have been teaching a course together with the wonderful Oleksandra Demianenko. We had a series of excellent guest lectures, thanks to Iryna Tsilyk, Sophia Beiter, Rebecca Thorne, and Peter Techet. It was an enriching experience overall, and I am very grateful for the opportunity.

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 05/05/2026

Today I had the pleasure of delivering opening words at the International Research and Practice Conference on the transformation of private law in the context of EU integration.

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 04/05/2026

Just back from Kyiv and Lviv, I spoke on Qnews about Ukraine, Iran, and oil. “Tit-for-tat” doesn’t hold. Ukraine targets Russian oil infrastructure because higher prices mean more revenue for Russia and a longer war. And one point remains: without Moscow's invasion, none of this would be happening.

youtube.com

Ukraine hits Russian oil, Iran blocks energy; tit-for-tat escalation? Sebastian Schäffer weighs in

YouTube video by Qnews

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TVP World @tvpworld.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Russia launched a record, 6,583 long-range drones at Ukraine in April, according to Ukrainian air force data, marking a slight increase from March and reflecting an intensification of aerial attacks targeting both infrastructure and civilians.

tvpworld.com

Russia launched record number of drones at Ukraine in April

Russia reportedly launched over 6,000 long-range drones last month.

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 30/04/2026

Unfortunately I already had to leave the beautiful and brave capital of freedom, but if you want to see how I got there, here is the first of my videos from my trip to Ukraine, showing how I came from Vienna to Kyiv! Subscribe to the IDM YouTube channel for more! www.youtube.com/shorts/Fs9Pn...

youtube.com

IDM in Ukraine - Part 1

YouTube video by IDM Vienna

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Sebastian Schäffer @sschaeffer.eurosky.social · 24/04/2026

Looking forward to returning to Ivan Franko National University of Lviv for what has now become a bit of a tradition. This time on the question of why there is no nostalgia for EU enlargement: www.idm.at/events/why-i...

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