Austria continues to advocate for achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, with strong security guarantees for the country.
This was stated by Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger in her address to the participants of the 29th European Forum in Vienna.
“Russia’s war of aggression has fundamentally changed Europe. More than 1,200 days of suffering and death in Ukraine. It is time to stop the killing. Therefore, Russia must truly come to the negotiating table. Peace must, of course, be comprehensive, just, and sustainable, supported by strong security guarantees,” the minister said.
She also emphasized that
“there can be no peace in Ukraine without Ukraine, and there can be no security in Europe without Europeans.”
The Austrian Foreign Minister reaffirmed her country’s continued support for Ukraine, including its aspirations to join the European Union.
Meinl-Reisinger also stressed that Europe must take on new responsibility for its own security, stability, and future.
“This means full participation in the European Union’s foreign, security, and defense policy. And it means standing together — united and confident. Europeans are strong when they speak with one voice. Austria is making its contribution. We are actively promoting the further development of the EU’s common security and defense policy, as well as the creation of a true European defense union. We are also strengthening public awareness of security and defense, because Europe’s security concerns every one of us,” the minister noted.
