Extreme-right Austrian leader expresses fury over Zelensky's trip
Anti-Zelensky Protests Ahead of Visit to Austria
News of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Austria on June 16 has sparked controversy, with Austria's far-right Freedom Party voicing displeasure before official confirmation. Reports from various media outlets, including Heute, Kronen Zeitung, and Der Standard, suggest Zelensky is scheduled to meet with Austrian officials, such as Chancellor Christian Kern and Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen.
Despite the government's silence on the matter, Herbert Kickl, Freedom Party leader, already expressed concern about this "foreign policy blunder," stating that it could make Austria a potential target in case of escalation. Kickl contends that Austria, as a neutral country, should act as a mediator rather than a wartime ally.
It's worth mentioning that this would be Zelensky's first visit to Austria since the 2022 full-scale invasion by Russia. In March 2023, he addressed the Austrian parliament via video link. The Freedom Party had previously opposed Zelensky's public activities, objecting to his intended speech to parliament, and their stance hasn't wavered since the conflict began. During Zelensky's 2023 address and subsequent occasions, Freedom Party lawmakers walked out in protest, reinforcing their stance.
The Freedom Party has consistently advocated for strict adherence to Austria's neutrality, interpreting it as a bar against direct military involvement and political alignment in international conflicts[2][5]. However, critics argue that this stance doesn't rule out symbolic or humanitarian support for Ukraine, and accuse the party of using neutrality as an excuse to sympathize with Russia and distance Austria from Western positions on Ukraine[2][1].
What's more, the Freedom Party is part of a Eurosceptic and anti-establishment movement in the European Parliament, seeking more national sovereignty and less EU centralization, especially in foreign policy matters[1]. This group, which includes the Freedom Party, also opposes continued EU sanctions on Russia and aims to limit the European Commission's power[1].
Despite the Freedom Party's insistence that its stance supports Austrian neutrality, its actions and alliances often align with those perceived as friendlier to Moscow, complicating Austria's diplomatic position within the EU and NATO-aligned countries[1][2].
- The controversy surrounding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Austria has raised discussions about Austria's policy and legislation in relation to war-and-conflicts, particularly the Freedom Party's stance on Austria acting as a mediator rather than a wartime ally.
- The Freedom Party's advocacy for strict adherence to Austria's neutrality in international conflicts, and their opposition to continued EU sanctions on Russia, has positioned them within a Eurosceptic and anti-establishment movement, which often aligns with perceived Moscow-friendly actions, causing complications for Austria's diplomatic position in the EU and NATO-aligned countries.
