Austria's Stance On Russia: Friend Or Foe?

Austria has historically maintained a neutral stance in global conflicts, choosing to remain unaffiliated with any military alliance. This position has been tested by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Austria facing criticism for granting visas to sanctioned Russian lawmakers. Despite condemning the invasion and supporting sanctions against Russia, Austria has been reluctant to sever diplomatic ties with Moscow, highlighting a delicate balancing act for the country. Austria's energy dependence on Russia and the presence of Russian investments in Austrian industries further complicate the relationship between the two nations.

Austria's stance on Russia sanctions

Austria has historically enjoyed good bilateral relations with Russia, with both countries understanding that challenges must be overcome pragmatically, based on dialogue and diplomacy. However, Russia's war against Ukraine has severely strained this relationship. Austria, along with its EU partners and other international allies, has condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine in the strongest possible terms and supported sanctions against Russia. Nevertheless, Austria has faced criticism for granting visas to sanctioned Russian lawmakers for an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) meeting in Vienna in February 2023. This incident underscores Austria's delicate balancing act as it tries to maintain its longstanding position of military neutrality.

Austria has taken a nuanced stance on Russia sanctions. On the one hand, the country has been quick to criticise Russia's actions in Ukraine. It has joined the EU in condemning the invasion and has supported sanctions against Russia. Austria has also actively participated in the International Crimea Platform and provided Ukraine with political, humanitarian, and financial support. Additionally, Austria has contributed financially to the EU Advisory Mission for Ukraine, which assists Ukrainian authorities in reforming their civilian security sector.

On the other hand, Austria has emphasised the need to maintain diplomatic relations with Moscow. The country has a history of neutrality, dating back to the Austrian State Treaty of 1955, which was later enshrined in the Declaration of Neutrality in the Austrian Constitution. This declaration prohibits Austria from joining a military alliance, hosting foreign military bases, or participating in wars. As a result, Austria has not provided weapons to Ukraine, instead sending only humanitarian aid.

Austria's neutrality has been a topic of debate, particularly in light of the Ukraine war. While some Austrians argue for joining NATO, public opinion largely supports maintaining neutrality. According to a 2023 survey by the Austrian Society for European Politics, only 21% of Austrians supported joining NATO, while 60% were opposed. Austria's foreign minister, Alexander Schallenberg, affirmed in July 2024 that the country was not considering NATO membership but intended to cooperate with the alliance.

In conclusion, Austria's stance on Russia sanctions is complex. While the country has condemned Russia's actions and supported sanctions, it also faces pressure to maintain its neutrality and keep diplomatic channels open with Moscow. This balancing act has led to criticism, particularly regarding the decision to grant visas to sanctioned Russian lawmakers for the OSCE meeting in Vienna. Nonetheless, Austria remains committed to its neutral position and continues to support diplomatic efforts to end hostilities and achieve a political peace process.

Austria's energy imports from Russia

Austria has historically maintained close ties with Russia, with good bilateral relations characterised by pragmatism, dialogue, and diplomacy. However, Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has severely strained these relations. Austria, along with its EU partners, has condemned Russia's aggression and supported sanctions against the country. Despite this, Austria has continued to receive significant amounts of its energy imports from Russia, specifically in the form of natural gas.

Following the invasion of Ukraine, Austria has been actively seeking to reduce its dependence on Russian gas. In February 2024, Austrian Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler expressed concern over the slow progress in diversifying gas imports. She stated that the country was considering ending energy company OMV's long-term contract with Gazprom, the Russian state-owned gas company. This contract has been a source of tension, with OMV reiterating its intention to continue purchasing gas from Gazprom, citing the contract's validity until 2040.

Austria has explored alternative sources of gas from countries like Norway and Turkey. Additionally, OMV has indicated that it has the capacity to replace lost Russian gas supply through its own production facilities and access to global markets. In November 2024, Russia's Gazprom stopped selling gas to OMV due to a dispute over payment, further escalating tensions. Despite these challenges, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer reassured the public that the country had secure alternative fuel supplies for the winter.

While Austria has taken steps to reduce its energy reliance on Russia, it continues to navigate a delicate balance between maintaining its neutrality and addressing the complexities of its energy imports in the context of the Ukraine conflict.

Austria's military neutrality

On October 26, 1955, the first day without foreign troops in Austria, the Austrian Parliament adopted the Constitutional Law on the Neutrality of Austria, in which the country declared its permanent neutrality and committed itself to maintaining and defending its neutrality with all means at its disposal. The Declaration of Neutrality prohibits Austria from joining a military alliance, from hosting foreign military bases within its borders, and from participating in a war.

Austria's self-imposed neutrality hasn't stopped it from participating in NATO-led peacekeeping missions. The country engages in UN-led peacekeeping and other humanitarian missions and participates in KFOR, EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Austria has also contributed financially to the European Union Advisory Mission in Ukraine, but is not providing any personnel.

Austria's membership in the European Union was controversial due to its commitment to neutrality. Austria only joined the bloc in 1995, together with Finland and Sweden, which had also declared their neutrality in the Cold War, following a referendum on accession. In 1995, Austria also joined NATO's Partnership for Peace program, but only after Russia had done so.

In 2022, Finland and Sweden abandoned their neutrality policy due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and decided to apply to join NATO. There has been renewed debate in Austria on joining the bloc, but support for Austrian neutrality remains strong among the public and political establishment. In 2023, Austria joined the European Sky Shield Initiative, a project to fund a European missile defense system, arguing that it was not a violation of their neutrality as resources would be pooled with other countries.

Austria's diplomatic relations with Russia

Austria and Russia have had bilateral relations for many years. Since 1955, Austria has maintained a constitutionally-mandated status of neutrality, and it is not a member of NATO. However, it joined the EU in 1995 and has supported sanctions against Russia following the war in Ukraine.

Historically, the two countries have had an on-off alliance, often united against the Ottomans and France. They were also both absolutist monarchies, and their alliance continued through the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars.

In the 19th century, Austria and Russia were both great defenders of the Vienna settlement, with Austria accepting Russia's predominance in Moldavia and Wallachia. In 1848, Russia invaded Hungary to suppress the revolutions and restore Habsburg sovereignty. However, during the Crimean War, Austria maintained a policy of hostile neutrality towards Russia, which damaged their relationship.

In the 20th century, the countries' relationship was impacted by the Russian Revolution and World War I, which resulted in the dissolution of their empires and the end of the monarchy in both. After World War II, Austria was separated from Germany and divided into four zones of occupation. It was required to sign the Austrian State Treaty of 1955, under which it pledged total neutrality in the Cold War confrontation between the Soviet Union and the U.S.-led West.

In 1968, Austria became the first Western European country to import natural gas from the Soviet Union, and it has long been a favourite country for Soviet (and now Russian) commerce, banking, and espionage activities.

In recent years, Austria has sought to maintain good relations and close economic cooperation with Russia, even after Russia's relationship with the West deteriorated following the 2014 Ukraine crisis. In 2016, the FPÖ leader announced a cooperation agreement with United Russia, Vladimir Putin's party. In 2018, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz stated that he hoped for a gradual rapprochement between the European Union and Russia, and Putin visited Austria – the first foreign country he visited officially following his reelection. However, Austria has also expelled several Russian diplomats and supported EU sanctions against Russia following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Austria's NATO membership debate

Austria and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have a close relationship. Austria is one of four members of the European Union that is not a member of NATO, the others being Ireland, Cyprus, and Malta. Austria has had formal relations with NATO since 1995, when it joined the Partnership for Peace programme.

Austria's commitment to neutrality is enshrined in its constitution. This Declaration of Neutrality prohibits Austria from joining a military alliance, hosting foreign military bases, or participating in wars. This stance was imposed on Austria in 1955 as a condition of ending Soviet occupation.

However, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, there has been renewed debate in Austria about joining NATO. Finland and Sweden, which had also declared neutrality, abandoned this stance and applied to join NATO. A coalition of Austrian politicians, diplomats, artists, and businesspeople wrote an open letter to the Austrian government in May 2022, asking them to reconsider their commitment to neutrality. The letter lamented the lack of serious political debate about Austria's security policy and argued that important questions about Austria's future were being neglected.

Support for NATO membership is not widespread among the Austrian public or political establishment. According to a 2023 survey by the Austrian Society for European Politics, only 21% of Austrians supported joining NATO, while 60% were opposed. In May 2022, when Finland and Sweden applied for NATO membership, only 14% of Austrians favored the same action, with 75% opposed.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer stated that the country would continue its policy of neutrality, and Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg affirmed in July 2024 that Austria was not considering joining NATO, though it planned to cooperate with the alliance.

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