Karin Kneissl, the former Austrian Foreign Minister, has a unique perspective on Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a candid interview with the BBC, she described Putin as "the most intelligent gentleman" akin to the accomplished heroes from Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice." Kneissl, who danced with Putin at her 2018 wedding and later moved to St. Petersburg, seems to view Putin favorably despite the ongoing geopolitical tensions between Russia and the West.
However, Kneissl's praise for Putin has not gone unnoticed and has sparked controversy, especially in light of Russia's involvement in the 'Attack on Ukraine.' During the interview, Kneissl claimed she had not witnessed any repression in her immediate environment in Russia, and she downplayed the significance of Russia's war against Ukraine.
Kneissl's close ties to Russia are noteworthy. She has served on the board of Rosneft, Russia's largest oil producer, and has faced criticism for her association with the company given the EU's tensions with Moscow. Kneissl has also written for Russia's state-run RT media outlet and now works as the president of the Gorki think tank, which aligns with Kremlin interests.
Kneissl's comments and actions have been met with criticism, both internationally and domestically. Her association with Rosneft and her praise of Putin have been seen as undermining Austria's stance in the EU, particularly regarding Russia's involvement in Ukraine. In Austria, her ties to Russia have raised concerns about national security and fueled criticism of the FPÖ's pro-Russian stance.
If Kneissl's views and actions continue to influence Austrian politics, Austria's isolation from key alliances within European security frameworks is a risk. Critics argue that this could erode democratic institutions in Austria and potentially hinder international cooperation. However, Kneissl has ridiculed those who call her a Russian spy, dismissing the accusations as "dirty fantasies."
References:
[1] Grasso, R. (2022, May 6). Austria's Karin Kneissl, a Putin ally, sparks international backlash by joining Rosneft board. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/austrias-kneissl-sparks-international-backlash-joining-rosneft-board-2022-05-06/
[2] "Karin Kneissl, Austria’s Ex-Foreign Minister, Says 'Tony Blair, David Cameron - They Were All Involved in Military Actions,'" Eurasia Daily Monitor, Vol. 19, Issue 146, 18 August 2022. EDM.
[3] Buxbaum, T. (2022, June 10). The Gorki Institute's New Golden Age: Austro-Russian Partnership and Regional Geopolitics. Retrieved from https://www.friedrich-ebert-stiftung.de/content/the-gorki-institutes-new-golden-age-austro-russian-partnership-and-regional-geopolitics-18749025
