The German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul was a guest with his Austrian counterpart Beate Meinl-Reisinger. The “Kroon” answered the most urgent questions about Russia, the crisis in the middle and the role of Austria in the world.
“Krone”: Mr. Foreign Minister, the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says that Russia attacks us long ago – hybrid, hidden, crawling. Do you see that too? And is a real attack just a matter of time?
Johann Wadephul: We can’t fool ourselves. Of course we are not at war at Russia, but that does not mean that Russia just lets us live in peace: Russia upgrades massively, and there are also cyber attacks, sabotage and disinformation campaigns. The aim of Russia is to split Europe from the inside and to falter our order. That is why we act: we are expanding our national defense, we protect our critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea and we strengthen NATO -Oostflank in the Baltic States with the German Brigade in Lithuania. We must be military, but also socially so strong that Putin does not even come up with the idea of attacking us or our partners.
They are also because of the fact that the weapons that Germany have delivered to Ukraine can also be used against Russia. So far that was a sensitive subject.
Every day Russia fires hundreds of drones and missiles to Ukrainian cities. He strives for residential buildings and civil infrastructure, and he is concerned with the destruction of schools, hospitals and power plants. He is concerned with terror against the civilian population. No country in the world can simply accept bomb terror. Everyone who is attacked must be able to defend themselves, of course also where the attack comes from. This is also valid international law. This war could immediately end if Putin stops his attacks and buried his fantasies by a large kingdom. Ukraine is ready for a truce – it’s not Russia.
Germany came to NATO 70 years ago. The future of the alliance has never been as insecure as it is now. Thanks to the US and Donald Trump. How can the Defense Alliance come out of the crisis?
NATO is stronger than ever. Putin wanted to weaken her, he reached the opposite: Finland and Sweden – formerly also neutral or alliance -free countries – now make NATO stronger. Diving must be credible, so we strengthen the European pillar of NATO. The renewed dedication of the United States on Article 5 of NATO, the collective defense, underlines our common determination. Germany is ready to take responsibility. That is why I personally forced the goal of 5 percent that we recently decided.
In an interview with the “mirror” you said that Germany is considered an honest partner in the Arab world – how credible is this if your “responsibility for Israel’s safety” is not negotiable in every conversation? Also in Austria is the protection of the state of Israel. Can these countries be credible, independent agents?
Our responsibility applies to the existence and safety of Israel. And the second internship that we draw from our history is the dedication to international law. Law and responsibility, these are two sides of the same medal. Our discussion partners in the region know that. If Germany or Austria, such as now in Vienna, are committed to more humanitarian aid in Gaza, then the weight is. Successful transfer does not mean that you have to give up your position. On the contrary: if you can talk to everyone, you can better contribute your interests.
At what role can Austria-neutral, non-NAVO member become in the current geopolitical situation?
Austria is military neutral – but not political. I quickly felt that during my visit to Vienna Thursday. We share many positions, interests and values in foreign policy. We are clearly on the Ukraine side: with hard sanctions against Russia and with the permanent conviction that there are no limits to violence in Europe. At the same time, Vienna is not only historically a place where diplomacy lives, even when the fronts are hardened.
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.
