Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) has rejected allegations from Russia that Austria is not respecting its position as an impartial and neutral state. “Russia’s accusation that we are not neutral is baseless,” Nehammer said Friday at a press conference with Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin in Vienna.
Moscow’s recent expulsion of four Austrian diplomats is “nothing more than a countermeasure with no substantial basis for the decision,” Nehammer said. In early February, Austria expelled four Russian diplomats.
“Do not allow if hospitality rights are abused”
“Neutrality does not mean standing by unconditionally when espionage takes place in our country and when the right to hospitality is also abused,” said Nehammer, referring to the expulsion of Russian diplomats. The State Department does not take such decisions lightly, they are made after a thorough investigation.
At the same time, Austria has always made it clear that neutrality doesn’t mean you can’t have an attitude, Nehammer continued. Austria is part of the EU’s common foreign and security policy along with the other EU countries and is concerned with neutrality in the European spirit and in the sense of European solidarity and with the necessary differentiation.
Unity in the EU ‘never as great as now’
The EU has shown that its unity has never been greater than it is now. The EU opposes Russia’s war of aggression and works together for justice and against injustice. “All this is very compatible with neutrality,” said the chancellor.
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.
