FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl once sharply criticized his party’s proximity to Moscow, but now he himself is falling victim to pro-Russian accusations. And the infamous “treaty of friendship” with the United Russia party has overtaken the party again and again since the beginning of the war of aggression against Ukraine.
“Let’s return to Austrian reality after a report from Radio Moscow.” With these words, Markus Koza of the Greens commented on a statement by FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl on Russian sanctions at the last meeting of the National Council. The Blues have long been criticized for not distancing themselves from Russia and Putin’s party.
FPÖ is pro-Russian positioned
The FPÖ, led by Heinz-Christian Strache, signed a “friendship agreement” with the United Russia party on 19 December 2016 in Moscow. The libertarians claim that the treaty has expired. According to information from the APA, if not explicitly terminated, the agreement will automatically renew. It is a bit surprising that Kickl does not distance himself more clearly from this collaboration, as he has always sharply criticized his predecessor’s proximity to Russia and in 2019 announced an end to this connection.
However, as a result of the war, the opposite happened. With continued criticism of Russian sanctions and government support for Ukraine, Kickl has finally cornered himself and the party into the corner of Russia’s friends. The FPÖ has tabled 30 pro-Russian motions in parliament since the start of the war. Kickl was never part of the Russian friends in the FPÖ.
Gudenus as an important liaison
The closeness to Russia and Putin began in 2006 after the end of the FPÖ’s first participation in the government under Chancellor Bowl. The liaison at the time was Strache’s friend, Johann Gudenus. During his studies at the Diplomatic Academy, he spent a lot of time in Russia and speaks the local language fluently. “People felt very honored by the proximity of Putin,” says an FPÖ expert in an interview with “Krone”.
In the controversial referendum on Russian-occupied Crimea in 2014, Gudenus acted as a so-called election observer. In the end, the proximity of Russia proved fatal for Strache and Gudenus. As is known, you fell into the trap of a fake Russian oligarch niece in Ibiza.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
