Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker confirmed that Austria supports the 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia, which is expected to be approved this week.
According to APA, the Austrian leader made this statement during a meeting of the Main Committee of the National Council of Austria.
“We clearly distinguish between the aggressor and the victim,” Stocker emphasized.
He stated that the Austrian government seeks to maintain the EU’s support for Ukraine, adding that such support is necessary for Ukraine to negotiate with Russia “from a position of strength” in order to achieve a “just and lasting peace.”
Stocker underscored that Austria’s participation in European initiatives supporting Ukraine takes place “on the basis of Austrian neutrality.”
“We are taking part in these discussions, but naturally based on neutrality. This means that Austria cannot participate in military affairs,” he explained.
During the committee session, the Chancellor noted that the 19th EU sanctions package includes, among other measures, a ban on the import of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Stocker reminded that since the beginning of 2025, Austria no longer imports Russian gas, and warned against the danger of becoming dependent on Russia for energy once again.
“It would be dangerous to fall into such dependence a second time, given our current experience,” he stressed.
Separately, the Austrian Chancellor addressed the European “Drone Wall” initiative, aimed at strengthening the EU’s defense capabilities. He noted that the threat to Europe is real — including in the form of cyberattacks, destabilization attempts, and the presence of drones likely linked to the Russian Federation.
