As a consequence of the political confusion following the annexation of the Crimea, German media critically commented about the lack of visibility of academic experts on questions concerning recent development in the Ukraine. Plans to re-establish a new institution for the study of Eastern Europe under the aegis of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs are just about to materialize – despite the fact that an institute with quite a similar portfolio has been closed down soon after German reunification. Parallel to that, a vivid discussion evolved on the self-understanding of German academia in times of new geopolitical uncertainties in Eastern Europe and the post-Soviet sphere. This presentation will present the main arguments developed against this backdrop. It will also look at these developments in the context of changes of Cold-War-studies on Eastern Europe since 1989/91 and will elaborate on the shifts of paradigms that occurred in German politics as well as academia. Last but not least, it will also ask about the future of specialized studies on Eastern Europe in Germany and European academia in general.