Austria is a militarily neutral country, but it cannot stand neutral about Russia’s war crimes and injustices.
This was stated by the Federal Chancellor of Austria, Karl Nehammer, at a joint briefing with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, on April 9, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
“Austria was and is a neutral country and part of the European Union. We are militarily neutral, but we can never accept that war crimes are taking place, and we believe that we need to help countries where there is injustice,” Nehammer said.
According to the Chancellor, this means that Austria fully supports the EU sanctions and implements them, as well as supports Ukraine where it is most needed from the Ukrainian point of view.
“We will strengthen sanctions (against Russia) within the EU until the war ends. Another package of sanctions has now been approved, and it will not be the last,” the Austrian Chancellor assured.
He also noted that Austria is making efforts to create reliable humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians, in particular from Mariupol.
Nehammer stressed that in Austria there is great solidarity with the people who fled Ukraine and a willingness to help them.
“I promise this will not stop,” he said.
The Federal Chancellor announced that later today, he would visit Bucha, where terrible crimes had been committed. In this context, he stressed the need for an investigation by UN institutions to involve international law and the International Criminal Court.
As Ukrinform reported, on April 9, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer arrived in Ukraine. During the visit, the Austrian politician met with President Zelensky.
