Many of the international developments of recent years are expected to have consequences in 2025 that could significantly change our lives in the European Union. Michael von der Schulenburg will use the example of seven such developments to show that the EU is not only ill-prepared for them, but is also pursuing policies that will increasingly bring it into conflict with developing global realities. This could have negative consequences for the people of Europe and jeopardise the project of European integration.

Michael von der Schulenburg has been a member of the European Parliament for the Sahra Wagenknecht alliance since this year. He previously held the rank of UN Assistant Secretary-General at the United Nations. For over 34 years, Schulenburg worked and lived in many countries that had been weakened and torn apart by wars, conflicts with armed non-state actors or foreign military interventions, in peace and development missions for the United Nations and, for a short time, the OSCE. Since 1992, he has held a leading role in these peace missions. These included long-term missions in Haiti, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Sierra Leone, as well as shorter missions in Syria, Somalia, the Balkans, the Sahel and Central Asia.

Since his retirement, Schulenburg has given many lectures at academic institutions and published articles on topics such as UN reforms, international law, non-state armed actors, and wars within states, but also on the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Ukraine. He is active in the German peace movement. In 2017, his book On Building Peace – Rescuing the Nation-State and Saving the United Nations was published by AUP. (www.michael-von-der-schulenburg.com)

Moderator: Dr. Alexander Neu

Prof. Wolfgang Streeck discusses with the author Dr Hauke Ritz about his recently published book ‘On the Decline of the West and the Reinvention of Europe’. Wolfgang Streeck, Prof. of Sociology and Director em. at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies in Cologne (MPIfG) and Hauke Ritz, Dr. of Philosophy and founding member of the Eurasia Society, will discuss Europe's relationship with the USA. To what extent is the Western identity of today's EU and its centralist structure responsible for the failure of the 1989 opportunity? Is a reinvention of Europe and thus a return to its decentralised form that has existed for thousands of years possible? What role does European culture play in the European unification process? And how has it been changed by the Cold War and the integration with the West? Is it necessary to separate Europe from the West in order to restore a European identity? And is the advocacy of a self-sufficient Europe independent of the USA a utopia or a realpolitik project? These and many other questions are discussed in detail in the recorded book presentation from 6 December in Cologne.

Moderation: Isabelle Casel

The Christmas party of the Eurasia Society brought together around 50 members and friends of the Eurasia Society for a convivial and festive evening and discussions about international developments.

For the eighth time, several hundred experts and specialists from the fields of economics and politics, coming from more than 20 countries, met in the last week of November for the international ‘Silk Road Summit’ in Vienna. The Eurasia Association was also actively represented.

In addition to a comprehensive exchange, especially among logisticians, lawyers and infrastructure developers, the discussions also lamented the strain on connectivity between Europe and Asia. In particular, the West's policy of sanctions continues to be a major obstacle to potential dynamic growth opportunities for partners between Europe and Asia.

Nevertheless, the summit also conveyed a great deal of optimism for change and new opportunities in the coming years. Investments in the infrastructure of the middle corridor, particularly in the Caucasus region, but also in Southeast Europe, are opening up new possibilities for the development of trade routes. The stagnation in volumes exchanged with Asia seems to have come to an end and the figures are pointing upwards again. New companies, particularly from Central Asia, are getting involved along the Silk Road, and the technologies and degree of digitalisation in the exchange of goods is once again increasing.

Vienna has presented itself excellently as the European centre of this connectivity. As an international platform for dialogue, the Silk Road Summit in 2024 was further proof of how peaceful exchange can contribute to international trust.

Kay-Achim Heino Schönbach, born in 1965, retired Vice Admiral of the German Navy of the Bundeswehr and politician (Union of Values). He was an inspector of the German Navy in 2021-2022 until his replacement. He is considered the leading military expert for the Eurasian landmass.

In his lecture, Schönbach outlined Germany's relationship with the global power centers of the USA, EU, China, Russia and India. He criticized the unilaterally dominant "hyper-moral" compass of the federal government and described what an overall realpolitik strategy should look like. On the one hand, he advocated a firm integration into the strongest military alliance in the world - NATO. On the other hand, in his opinion, Germany cannot do without a raw materials partnership with Russia. According to Schönbach, there are ways to resolve the Ukraine conflict diplomatically. 

Following the lecture, the experts Alexander Neu, Christoph Polajner and Alexander Rahr discussed with retired Vice Admiral Schönbach the power constellations in Eurasia and German security interests.

There was also the possibility of an interesting debate of the numerous audience with this experienced military leader of the Federal Republic.

The approximately 45-minute lecture began with an analysis of the election results of the European elections in France and the French party landscape in the "Macron era", which is taking an uncertain course towards the presidential elections in 2027. 

How "European" is France? How upset is the country in domestic politics? What was the goal of the 6 Europe speeches of Emmanuel Macron, who recently declared that Europe could die?

Is there a Franco-German tandem for the Eurasian space – and with what content? Why is NATO no longer "brain dead" for France, as it was in 2018? Which path does France choose in world politics? 

These and other questions were discussed together after the lecture.

In this context, the book by Prof. Dr. Ulrike Guérot is recommended: Was ist los mit Frankreich?

Moderator: Dr. Hauke Ritz

The speaker was Uwe Leuschner, a proven Eurasia specialist who has over 25 years of experience in logistics (Rewico AG, Fiege Russia AG, DB Schenker Russia, DB Cargo). Born in Germany, he studied foreign trade at the University of Economics in Prague and completed his postgraduate studies in the USA and Canada. In addition to German, he speaks Russian, English and Czech and is a member of several national and international business associations.

The Eurasian trade and transport corridors are receiving great attention, in particular, due to their potential to improve regional connectivity and promote economic integration. They connect the markets of Central Asia and the South Caucasus with the European Union. The countries along the corridor are growing very dynamically, attracting foreign companies with a wealth of raw materials, a strong industrial development. In his lecture, Leuschner drew a highly interesting political map of a new Eurasia. Following the lecture, the numerous participants discussed geopolitical and geo-economic issues of the future. Above all, the question was how Germany could secure its raw material supplies from China and the Eurasian region peacefully and effectively.

In a panel discussion, experts from the Eurasia Society e. V. were discussing peace initiatives for Ukraine developed by Eurasian states. What are the approaches? Has there been noticeable progress, and what are the obstacles on the way to peace in Europe?

Is there an approach for a realistic diplomatic solution to the Ukraine conflict? Why are China, Turkey and countries of the South pushing for a ceasefire and a peace plan in Ukraine, while the West does not want negotiations with Russia and relies solely on a military victory of Ukraine? Experts of the Eurasia Society, after brief impulses, answered the questions and statements of numerous interested guests. Neu, Polajner and Rahr did not see the end of the Ukraine war for a long time, but rather tried to sharpen the view on the changes in the global world situation. The key to resolving many conflicts in the world lies in the recognition or denial of the fact that the world order has changed from a unipolar (US-centered) to a multipolar one. International and multinational cooperation mechanisms need to be reorganized. The discussions about whether China, or rather the US, could ultimately stop the Ukraine war ran deep into the night. The importance of personnel changes in the Kremlin was also discussed.

Moderator: Christian Wipperfürth

The lecture event on 13.2.2024 with retired General Harald Kujat was exceptionally well attended, over 100 guests listened to him. Kuyat was born in the middle of the Second World War, from 2000 to 2002 he was the Inspector General of the Bundeswehr and later for three years chairman of the NATO military Committee. Kuyat's remarks on the current world conflicts were very clear. He represented a realpolitik view of the current wars and challenges of our time. He was critical of the Ukraine war - but also criticized Western politics for its one-sided moral policy and misguided values fundamentalism. He complained that if ideology dominated political decision-making, a peace or compromise solution would be far away. The gain in knowledge of the evening was a better understanding of the entire world situation. Unfortunately, we in Germany have got into the habit of looking at global development exclusively from our narrowed Western opinion corridor. At the Munich Security Conference only pro-Western politicians are allowed to participate with a few exceptions. In Munich, politicians are obviously afraid of a multipolar world order. Kujat spoke about developments in Asia, and his view of the Western horizon was also useful here. During the discussion, he was asked when the world would find its way back to international understanding. Arguments were then allowed to continue into the night.

The Eurasia Society is entering the third year of its existence. Reason enough to celebrate Christmas together.

The guests came not only to eat the Christmas goose. In several speeches, they analyzed current events, focusing on topics such as Central Asia as a favorable investment location for German companies, as well as the end of the war in Ukraine. Uzbekistan, in particular, was the focus of attention of the Eurasia Society at the end of the year.

The situation in the war zone is far more dramatic for Ukraine than our media report. First of all, this concerns the number of casualties and dead. Relations between Russia and Western countries have collapsed. There is an indication of a division of the world into the West and the non-West. Is this process to be stopped? What could a common peace order including Russia and Ukraine look like?

A journalist reported on his experiences in the war zone.

We discussed this with our speaker and our audience.

More than three decades after the end of the Soviet Union, there are four autonomous, self-proclaimed republics - Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh, South Ossetia and Transnistria - or republics recognised by very few countries. How explosive is the situation? While the situation in Abkhazia has stabilised, there is a struggle for Nagorno-Karabakh. The Ukraine war was also preceded by the establishment of separatist republics in Donetsk and Luhansk. What future awaits these autonomous republics?

We discussed this from different perspectives.

Companions recalled the work of Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev and his influence on the development of Europe in recent decades. Which concepts were there, which were implemented, which were brought to failure? Can the spirit of this time be revived?

We talked to our speakers about this.

Ruslan Grinberg

Grigori Jawlinski   (by video)

Oskar Lafontaine (by video)

Askar Akajew        (by video)

et al.

Before the Eurasia Society went into the summer break, it organized a panel discussion with the American historian of Eastern Europe and professor at the University of Rhode Island, Nikolai Petro, on June 26th. In his lecture "The Search For Peaceful Coexistence in Eurasia: The Role of Tragedy" Petro presented his book "The Tragedy of Ukraine". The book is about the Ukrainian search for national identity. According to Petros, the identity differences between Western and eastern Ukraine will remain forever. The US expert drew a current picture of Ukrainian civil society, spoke in favor of a peace solution in the Ukraine war.

Gregor Gysi, the political figurehead of the party "Die Linke" discussed on June 21 at a discussion event of the WCR in Berlin, which was led by the Vice Chairman of the Eurasia Society, Dr. Alexander Neu. Gysi spoke above all about the war in Ukraine, which, like the previous wars of aggression in Serbia (1999) and Iraq (2003), is contrary to international law. For the future, he hopes for a more independent Europe, which is not increasingly dominated by the USA, as is the case due to the current turn of the times.

On June 15, the Eurasia Society and the WCR e. V. held a well-attended joint event on the subject

"Special Tribunal or Reconciliation, Alternatives in Dealing with the Ukraine War?" 

Prof. Dr. Norman Paech, retired professor for public law, constitutional and international law at the University of Hamburg, gave a lecture on the legal framework for a special tribunal for the Ukraine war. He expressed skepticism about the internationally legitimate character of such an institution. Firstly, because the International Court of Justice already exists and the international community does not need a second parallel authority. Second, because the special tribunal is only supported by a minority of states. Thirdly, because crimes from other wars, such as those in Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan, would then also have to be dealt with in court.

Dr. Clivia von Dewitz, judge at the District Court of Bad Segeberg, used the example of the externally promoted reconciliation policy in South Africa to examine what a similar model for peace building in Ukraine could look like. 

International law attorney Tanja Galander led the discussion.

On May 23, 2023, Uwe Leuschner spoke about the transport corridors between China and Europe, which he has long played a leading role in shaping. Among other things, Leuschner was Senior Vice President Business Development Eurasia at DB Cargo AG, CEO of DB Cargo Russia and Group CEO at Far East Land Bridge.

The native East German drew an interesting picture of Chinese society from his diverse experiences, describing on the one hand the peculiarity of the reform brakemen in China, but also describing the irrepressible entrepreneurial spirit, especially of younger Chinese, who adopted Western languages. Existing trade barriers could often be eliminated through personal contacts between entrepreneurs.

Leuschner gave an overview of the development he helped shape from the transport of the first containers to a transport network spanning two continents. He also pointed out the further potential of increasing connectivity, as well as the dwindling role played by Germany in this context due to its own political decisions. Significant changes in the transport of goods have also become apparent over the past year. Seaborne cargo handling at the Port of Hamburg is declining, and rail transport from China is now mainly going to Russia.

The discussion also highlighted different concepts of economic integration of the Eurasian region, from the Eurasian Economic Union to the Silk Road and Global Gateway Initiative. Current developments such as the meeting of Chinese President Xi Jinping with the leaders of the Central Asian states a few days earlier were also highlighted.

The exciting lecture was followed by an interesting discussion.

This year, the Munich Security Conference will take place from February 17 to 19. In the prelude and run-up to the conference, questions of the Eurasian and international order must be discussed not only from the transatlantic perspective. For years, Prof. Dr. Hacke has commented on every Munich Security Conference on German television and set important accents of his own in his lecture.

According to Hacke, the Munich Security Conference under the highly ambitious new chairman, former advisor to Merkel, Christoph Heusgen, has set itself the goal of pushing through the idea of a value-based order (monopolar, Western world order) against the resistance of the BRICS states. The rise of Eurasia (China) would be criminally negated by the West. Prof. Hacke advised Germany and the EU to focus on their own interests, not exclusively American ones. Europe would not gain from a one-sided orientation towards America, it would need the security-political, economic and cultural exchange with the Eurasian nations and peoples.

Dr. Hauke Ritz presented the book "Endspiel Europa" (Endgame Europe), co-authored with Prof. Dr. Ulrike Guérot. He presented an interesting picture of a future Europe. In his opinion, Europe must find itself through more autonomy.

Event with Prof. Dr. Lieven in Berlin. Prof. Lieven, who regularly publishes in the international media, described the current overall state of the post-Soviet space between the EU and Asia. He also addressed the Ukraine conflict.

On 14.10.2022 Eurasia Society supportively held the scientific conference in Kazakhstan Embassy, Berlin. The topic was "Global Significance of the Conference on Coordination of Actions and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA)." Ambassador (ret.) Dr. Dr. Arne Seifert spoke as an expert on Central Asia. He, who has previously worked in the region, spoke at length about the geopolitical and geo-economic shifts in Central Asia.

Joint event with WCR e. V. at Rapallo. Internationally known artist and author Haralampi G. Oroschakoff presented his book "The Smile of the Emigrant".

In his fascinating lecture, Haralampi Oroschakoff traced the development of several generations of Eastern European emigrants to the West after World War II.

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) is a unique event in the economic and business world. SPIEF has been held since 1997 and has been held under the sponsorship and participation of the President of the Russian Federation since 2006. Over the past more than 20 years, SPIEF has become one of the world's leading platforms for dialogue between business communities, where the key issues most topical for Russia, emerging markets and the whole world are discussed and resolved.

Dr. iur. Thomas Falk and Dr. iur. Andreas Knaul spoke in Berlin about risks and opportunities. They answered many questions from the audience regarding the sanctions against Russia and described in detail how Western companies leave Russia and find new subsidiaries in Central Asia.

Mr. Thomas Fasbender - German journalist and publicist - presented in the restaurant Paris-Moscow his new book: "Vladimir Putin. A Political Biography". According to Fasbender, one can understand Putin's fateful decisions by studying his biography in detail.