Visit to Ukraine – What’s behind Chancellor Nehammer’s visit to Kiev

At first glance, it seems simple politics to arouse emotions with strong images. But at this point, the effect of Nehammer’s visit to Zelenskyy should not be underestimated.

There are again photos of a Western European government leader with Zelensky. Photos of an EU government leader making his own image of the atrocities of Russia’s war of aggression. The signal is clear: “Moscow is internationally isolated, Kiev is not,” says Eastern Europe expert Alexander Dubowy.

Good connections with the Klitschko . brothers
The trip will take place in the coming days. It was initiated by the chancellor’s good connections with brothers Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko. And it is also important for Austria’s foreign policy orientation. “It’s a necessary risk to take this journey,” Dubowy says. Austria is internationally known for being very pro-Russian.

With this visit, Austria clearly shows its support for Ukraine and distances itself from Moscow. There is another important detail: the time. “It is important that Austria travels to Kiev earlier – for example France or Germany,” explains Dubowy. While Paris and Berlin hesitate, Vienna takes the initiative.

“There must also be visible support”
Thus, the impression of “Zelenskyj tourism” does not arise. After Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia, Nehammer is the fourth EU head of government to visit the war zone. But according to Dubowy, it should be clear that the journey alone cannot do it. “At the same time, there must also be visible support.” Since Austria cannot and should not provide military support, humanitarian aid is provided instead. Helmets, protective equipment or financial support.

What will be Moscow’s response? “Austria will again be accused of violating neutrality,” Dubowy said. “But that’s not true: militarily we are neutral, politically not.”

“Krone” analysis by Peter Filzmaier
Discussing humanitarian aid is mentioned as the main reason. This is undoubtedly very important, but only part of the story.

It has been more than a century since we were a great power during the monarchy. The small state of Austria can hardly influence the developments in the international system. In addition to donations, Ukraine mainly needs political support to end the Russian war of aggression. Unfortunately, a visit from the Chancellor from a small country hardly helps.

The Ukrainian Head of State Wolodymyr Selenskyj would have many wishes that Karl Nehammer cannot or will not fulfill him. In addition to military matters, this includes halting the purchase of Russian natural gas and expelling many of Vladimir Putin’s diplomats from Vienna, who are clearly propagandists and spies rather than negotiators and mediators.

Speaking of negotiations, Chancellor Nehammer and his Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg have so far missed an opportunity to provide concrete services to Ukraine: Vienna would have offered itself as a neutral place for peace talks rather than Turkey, a NATO country. Will the trip to Kiev make a difference in that regard? Rather not.

As a symbol, Nehammer’s travel policy still makes sense. There were far too many embarrassing photos of Austrian politicians with Putin. A photo of Nehammer with Selenskyj shows that according to the Austrian view he is right and Putin wrong. That is good.

Of course, such glossy pictures are also welcomed by the Chancellor in domestic politics: Nehammer has the podium in Kiev all to himself without any opposition. When Nehammer travels as chancellor, he saves himself a few days of discussions on issues that overtake him as ÖVP leader: for example, questionable money flows from his party in Vorarlberg and elsewhere and criticism of National Council chairman Wolfgang Sobotka.

Strangely enough, a real theater of war becomes a distraction from the partisan war in Austria.