Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s visit to Russian ruler Vladimir Putin caused a certain amount of head shake, and not just nationally. The international press isn’t exactly flattering on Nehammer. There is talk of a “naive risk mission” and “too much ambition”, and Nehammer’s self-image is also questioned. Also often mentioned is the risk that the Russians could misuse the chancellor’s visit for propaganda purposes.
For example, the Süddeutsche Zeitung wrote on Tuesday: “Whatever inspired Chancellor Karl Nehammer to embark on a ‘mission impossible’ in Moscow, could have to do with this self-image. And yet the ÖVP politician would have been better advised not to do it. (…) Be moral, enlightened – both are very praiseworthy and yet above all very naive. The war crimes are intentional. The reality is known.”
‘Nehammer tends to impulsive performances’
The “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” called the chancellor “impulsive”: “According to his own statements it was Nehammer’s idea to travel to Moscow afterwards. She came to him when he had arranged – also spontaneously – a trip to Kiev while he was was on the phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. That’s unbelievable. Nehammer tends to be impulsive.”
Die Welt, on the other hand, speaks of a “risk mission”: “Before his departure, the chancellor called his journey a “risk mission”. This visit does indeed involve risks, for example fooling yourself and being misused for propaganda purposes.”
‘Danger of Russia cannibalizing the meeting’
The Neue Zürcher Zeitung also follows this line: “The Austrian side averted the risk that Russia would misuse the meeting for propaganda purposes by banning photos, filming and also a press conference. But that does not change the signal that Vienna is sending and that the Russian media will also spread: a Western head of government pays his respects in Moscow, Putin is not isolated, the unity of the EU could crumble.”
The Italian media put it even less charmingly. For example, the Roman “La Repubblica” writes: “Nehammer has arrived in Moscow with an overambitious list of goals: the opening of humanitarian corridors, a ceasefire and investigations into the war crimes committed by Russian troops in Ukraine. The Austrian chancellor left Moscow with his tail between his legs.”
The Turiner “La Stampa” speaks of a “mission failed” by Nehammer: “His visit has not brought any results. Many, both abroad and at home, have criticized Nehammer’s visit, especially the Ukrainians. But (German Chancellor Olaf) Scholz and other European leaders commend the diplomatic effort.”
The “Corriere della Sera” from Milan, on the other hand, pinpoints economic motives behind Nehammer’s trip: “Due to its high energy dependence on Russia, Austria is one of the EU countries most opposed to an embargo against Russia. Good relations with the Kremlin prevented the Austrian government does not like to support any EU sanctions against Russia.”
In English-speaking countries, reactions to Nehammer’s trip have so far been restrained, but CNN and BBC report that the chancellor described the meeting as “not a friendly visit”. However, one does not seem to expect too great an impact, the “Politico” journalist Stephanie Liechtenstein spoke on Twitter of “no concrete result”. The British Correspondent Tessa Szyszkowitz identified a “hard lesson in diplomacy” for the Austrian head of government: “You can’t build bridges in a dead end.”
Source: Krone
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