Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko warns of a security vacuum. The current world order does not work, the UN Security Council is blocked by Russia’s veto. “Grey security zones” would have to disappear to be a real deterrent, Tymoshenko emphasized Friday at a conference of the Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy (AIES) at the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna.
“Grey security zones” have already disappeared since the Russian attack on Ukraine, Tymoshenko referred to the efforts of the non-aligned states Finland and Sweden to join NATO.
She asked the rhetorical question: “If Ukraine had been given the chance to join in 2008, would war have broken out?” Buffer zones were not a solution either. “We need to think about what could fill this security vacuum,” Tymoshenko said. She herself called for a “strict European security system”.
“The victors of the war will write the rules of the new world order”
Russian ruler Vladimir Putin is about more than Ukraine. “When you read Putin’s speeches, you realize that Ukraine is only the first step. He has a different goal,” explains Tymoshenko. Putin aims to provide a reservoir for all those forces that do not want Western leadership and are dissatisfied with international law. It is a fight against “the entire free world”. Ukraine must fight and win. “For the victors of the war will write the rules of the new world order. Therefore, it is imperative that Ukraine win this war.”
Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) also spoke about the change in security architecture, which is reflected in the NATO efforts of Finland and Sweden. “It is not just neutrality that protects Austria. But our army does,” she said, pleased with the defense budget increase, which ended a long ‘dry period’. The army must be equipped to face the risks and challenges. to face.
Tanner promises an “appropriate” Austrian contribution
“Austria is not an island,” Tanner noted. There is no alternative to a Europeanisation of security policy. And while much has already been achieved in European security and defense policy, Tanner was “confident that we need to do much more”. That is also in Austria’s interest. The minister promised that Austria would continue to make an “appropriate contribution” to European security policy. The contribution is “significant”, more than 800 Austrian soldiers are active in 15 foreign missions.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
