Austria condemned attack on Ukraine
Austria today strongly condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen called on Russia to turn back. “President (Vladimir, note) Putin must stop the attack immediately and return to negotiations.”
“The EU is quickly, united and reacts very clearly,” said Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP). “Our worst expectations have come true,” wrote Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) on Twitter.
“Austria’s active solidarity is with Ukraine. In these difficult hours, our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine,” said Nehammer.
It is clear “that this renewed attack on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine will not go unanswered,” said Nehammer. He called on Russia to end aggression and return to the negotiating table.
“victim-offender reversal”
“The Russian narrative of helping endangered separatist areas against an alleged aggression is transparent and far-fetched,” the Chancellor’s Office statement stressed.
“On the contrary: in recent weeks, the Ukrainian government has considered the massive Russian threat and has reacted with the greatest restraint. A victim-perpetrator reversal is obviously being attempted here.”
Van der Bellen: “Avoid further escalation”
Van der Bellen also condemned the “army, illegal attack by Russia” “strongly”. If Putin does not stop this, “the use of increased force on the European continent will change relations with the Russian neighbor for decades,” warned the Federal President.
“Everything must now be done to avoid further escalation and to protect human life,” said Van der Bellen. “Everything that the Republic of Austria can do as a neutral state to contribute to peace, we will do. Peace must come first,” the Federal President underscored. The way to the negotiating table must be open to all sides.
Rendi-Wagner: “Dark day for the world”
SPÖ leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner spoke on Twitter of a “dark day for the world”. Her thoughts are with the people of Ukraine, wrote the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in Parliament.