Main image: Austria’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger, by Michael Gruber/BMEIA
Austria may reconsider its traditional neutrality amid growing threats from Russia and increasing global instability, said Austria’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger, as reported by Welt.
According to her, neutrality alone does not guarantee the country’s security. Given Russia’s aggressive behavior, Austria needs investments in its own defense and the development of international cooperation. The minister emphasized that currently there is no majority in parliament or among the public in favor of joining NATO, but an open public discussion on this issue could be useful.
Meinl-Reisinger noted that Austria is already actively involved in ensuring Europe’s security. The country sends its soldiers on European Union peacekeeping missions and provides financial, military, and political support to the common European security and defense policy. Since joining the EU in 1995, Austrian neutrality has already undergone changes and become more flexible.
The minister stressed that Russia continues its war of annihilation against Ukraine despite colossal losses and a worsening economic situation. She believes that it is increasingly difficult for the Kremlin to sustain military actions and that Russian President Vladimir Putin has less and less time left, which is why he acts with particular cruelty.
