“The spiral of violence is turning. The more people die, the greater the risk that the conflict will become larger,” he told the APA on Thursday. That’s why it’s important to “support Ukraine in the best possible way.” Russian President Vladimir Putin must not “discover any weakness.”
Pro-Russian separatists in Transnistria asked Russia for “protection” against the Republic of Moldova on Wednesday. Moscow then described the “protection” of the region’s Russian-speaking residents as a “priority.” Putin did not address the Transnistria conflict in his state of the nation address on Thursday. However, he criticized the announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron, who on Monday did not rule out sending European troops to Ukraine. Putin then accused the West of creating the risk of a nuclear conflict.
Video article:
When asked by the APA, Nehammer “did not want to evaluate” whether Macron’s statement was politically clever. He once again emphasized that we need to “think about a peace solution” or at least a “ceasefire so that the killing stops.” This is “drilling hard boards,” said the Chancellor, who also emphasized: “Putin must find a way to get out of the impasse.” Putin has “not achieved all of his strategic goals”: NATO countries are arming themselves and the Western military alliance has expanded.
Include BRICS countries
Nehammer once again advocated approaching the BRICS states and including them in the peace process. Countries like Brazil, India, China and South Africa have greater influence on Russia than the West. When asked about Austria’s specific initiatives, Nehammer referred to a conversation with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on the sidelines of the EU-Latin America summit and the efforts of Foreign Minister Alexande Schallenberg (ÖVP) to maintain intensive contacts with India. “Where Austria can help and act as a bridge builder, we will always do so.”
In focus: Transnistria
When asked about the funeral of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny planned for tomorrow, Friday, Nehammer said it was “dramatic” that the opposition figure was dead. Banishing Navalny to Siberia was a decision “that certainly had something to do with his death.” Nehammer again called for an international, independent investigation. Implementing this requirement will be “more than difficult,” said Nehammer realistically in the APA interview. However, it is “necessary to take a stance and make it clear that this is an approach that is completely unacceptable to us in the West,” said the Chancellor, without specifically naming the Russian regime.
“Foreign policy and diplomacy is often very challenging and difficult work,” added Nehammer. When asked whether that also meant not criticizing too much, he answered in the negative: “No, you have to address the issues. That’s why Austria, as a neutral country, has always condemned this war and clearly expressed solidarity with Ukraine, that’s why We stand with the Union when it comes to sanctions.” Austria just doesn’t supply any weapons. Nehammer outlined: “Criticism where necessary and right. Don’t show weakness to the Russian president, but be clear that there has to be a further path than just the path of war.”
