“It will be a difficult battle, but we believe in our victory,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday when Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) visited Kiev on the current difficult situation, especially in the east of the country. “But at the same time, we also want to seek the dialogue to end this war.” Selenskyj expressly thanked Nehammer for the visit.
“It is very important and shows support,” Zelenskyy said at the presidential palace, whose driveways are secured with anti-tank barriers and the entrances are secured with piles of sandbags. Although Austria, unlike other countries, cannot supply weapons, the “technical resources” from Austria are also a great help. He referred, among other things, to 20 rescue vehicles and ten tank fire trucks, the delivery of which Nehammer had announced during the conversation. “It is a good signal when prominent personalities visit us. This shows that they don’t just support us with words.”
Nehammer: ‘Go where injustice really happens’
Nehammer stressed that the war unleashed by Russia was “completely unacceptable” to Austria. “We are militarily neutral, but not when it comes to naming crimes and going where injustice actually happens.” Austria supports EU sanctions, the chancellor emphasized, and there will be other sanctions packages, “with the aim of ending the war”. In the future, sanctions mechanisms should become “even more delicate and precise,” Nehammer promised. For example, the supply to Russia of “small technical parts” needed for military aircraft could be banned.
Controversial issue of the gas embargo: serious economic and social consequences?
Of course, sanctions must be imposed on those against whom they are directed, the chancellor said, when asked about Austria’s refusal to agree to a gas embargo. A cessation of gas supplies could have serious economic and, subsequently, social consequences in Austria. The chancellor denied that the sanctions could be circumvented by companies such as Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI), which is heavily involved with Russia. That would not meet with any acceptance in Austria. In addition, RBI is also a major employer in Ukraine. For his part, Zelenskyy called for further sanctions against Russia. “Every kopeck, every dollar, every euro that goes there goes to war.”
Against “rush shots” in terms of EU accession
Selenskyj emphasized that in the 45-minute conversation with Nehammer, he also addressed Ukraine’s accession to the EU. The Chancellor had previously shown restraint in this regard. A number of countries are already waiting in the “courtyard” of the European Union, urgent jobs would only lead to disruptions.
Meeting with Prime Minister and Klitschko, visit to Bucha
Nehammer is currently on a “solidarity visit” to Ukraine, which has been militarily attacked by Russia. Meetings were also scheduled in the capital Kiev with Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal and Mayor Vitali Klitschko. The program also includes a local inspection in the city of Bucha, where more than 300 civilians have been killed in alleged Russian war atrocities. The return to Vienna will take place on Sunday.
Source: Krone
I’m an experienced news author and editor based in New York City. I specialize in covering healthcare news stories for Today Times Live, helping to keep readers informed on the latest developments related to the industry. I have a deep understanding of medical topics, including emerging treatments and drugs, the changing laws that regulate healthcare providers, and other matters that affect public health.
