Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) received his new Ukrainian counterpart Andrij Sybiha in Vienna on Thursday. Schallenberg stressed the “unbroken solidarity with Ukraine”. He also revealed how much money in aid payments has flowed from Austria to Ukraine since the Russian war of aggression began on February 24, 2022.
According to the Foreign Ministry, Austria has so far mobilised more than EUR 252 million in state, financial and humanitarian aid for Ukraine and its neighbouring countries bilaterally – that is, excluding participation in EU aid.
Also great support within the EU
In addition, Austria participates in extensive financial and humanitarian aid within the EU. In addition, the federal states, municipalities, commercial companies, interest groups and civil society provide support.
Perspective for the peace process
The focus of the conversation between Schallenberg and Sybiha was on “continued support for Ukraine in the face of brutal Russian aggression” and on the prospects for a peace process, as the Foreign Ministry announced.
“An illegal and brutal war has been raging for over 900 days, completely without any provocation from Russia. The human suffering and material damage in Ukraine are almost unbearable,” Schallenberg said.
Schallenberg assures Ukraine of support
Austria will therefore continue to support Ukraine’s “sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity” both bilaterally and within the EU, especially in the humanitarian field. “We have supported them since the first day of Russian aggression and we will continue to do so,” the foreign minister said after the meeting.
Austria took in 800 Ukrainian children
Ukraine is “very grateful” for the support and appreciates Austria’s “extremely strong and active role,” Ukrainian Ambassador to Austria Wassyl Chymynez stressed. He placed particular emphasis on humanitarian aid; for example, Austria temporarily took in 800 children in the summer to give them “a break from the war.”
Looking for partners
Regarding the peace process that started in June, Schallenberg stressed that the “global outreach” had to be intensified in order to get as many states as possible on board for a peace solution based on international law. “One thing is absolutely clear: there will have to be a solution at the negotiating table. This requires that many partners, especially states such as India, Brazil, South Africa and China, secure a negotiating result. The overriding principle is that “there should be no negotiations on Ukraine without Ukraine”.
Just at the beginning of the week, the Foreign Ministry gathered 100 lawyers from 41 countries in Vienna. During the meeting, held for the second time this year in Vienna, the establishment of a special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine was discussed. In particular, those responsible for the crime of aggression should be held accountable by a criminal court, the Foreign Ministry said.
Source: Krone
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