Austria's Support For Ukraine: What You Need To Know

Austria has provided Ukraine with humanitarian and economic aid, and has taken in Ukrainian refugees. However, it has refused to provide lethal military assistance due to its neutrality policy. In April 2024, Austria's Foreign Ministry reported that it was supporting Ukraine with 2 million euros ($2.2 million) worth of humanitarian aid. This was part of a broader 21.5 million euro ($23.3 million) funding package from the Foreign Ministry's foreign disaster fund. In total, Austria has provided 750 million euros in bilateral and multilateral aid to Ukraine. Austria has also pledged to invest 30 million euros in Ukraine and Moldova through the International Development Association (IDA), a branch of the World Bank Group. In addition, it has pledged immediate further support of 10 million euros through the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund (URTF). Austria has also taken a political stance in support of Ukraine, endorsing European Union sanctions against Russia and publicly criticising Putin for violating international norms.

Austria has provided over 124 million euros in humanitarian aid to Ukraine

Austria's support for Ukraine also extends beyond financial aid. The country has taken in more than 90,000 displaced Ukrainians and signed a framework agreement worth 600 million euros for the construction of three hospitals in Ukraine. Additionally, Austria has provided emergency relief packages, including 17.5 million euros from the Foreign Disaster Fund, as well as deliveries of civilian emergency vehicles, helmets, body armour, and fuel.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer emphasised the importance of helping Ukraine, stating, "We see it as our humanitarian duty to help ease the suffering of the people in Ukraine." He also highlighted that Austria's security in Europe is closely tied to the security and stability of its neighbours.

The humanitarian aid provided by Austria reflects its commitment to standing with Ukraine and its people in their time of need.

Austria has taken in more than 90,000 displaced Ukrainians

Austria has been providing aid to Ukraine since the start of the war in 2022. It has taken in more than 90,000 displaced Ukrainians and provided over 124 million euros in humanitarian aid. The country has also signed a framework agreement worth 600 million euros for the construction of three hospitals in Ukraine.

Austria's response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis has been notable for its generosity. By December 2022, there were 87,570 temporary protection holders in the country, with the majority of displaced persons (72%) living in private accommodation. This presents unique challenges for the Austrian government in terms of monitoring and protection, as these refugees are not living in organised accommodation provided by the authorities. To address this, IOM Austria collaborated with the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Austrian Integration Fund to collect data and strengthen protection, assistance, and awareness-raising interventions and policies.

Austria's commitment to supporting Ukraine is evident in its denunciation of Russian aggression and the provision of economic and humanitarian aid. However, due to its neutrality policy, Austria has refused to donate lethal military assistance. Instead, it has contributed financially, with a total bilateral and multilateral aid of 750 million euros by July 2023. This includes 2 million euros ($2.2 million) in humanitarian aid from the Foreign Ministry's foreign disaster fund, which also supports humanitarian efforts in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and Afghanistan.

In addition to financial and humanitarian aid, Austria has also contributed to Ukraine's reconstruction. In October 2023, it pledged 40 million euros towards repairing and reconstructing transport, energy, and health infrastructure. This includes 30 million euros invested through the International Development Association (IDA) and 10 million euros through the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction, and Reform Trust Fund (URTF). Austria's support for Ukraine's reconstruction reaffirms its role as a reliable partner within the international community and underscores its commitment to peace and stability in Europe.

Austria has refused to donate lethal military assistance to Ukraine

Austria's chancellor, Karl Nehammer, denounced Russian aggression towards Ukraine and has committed to supporting Ukraine with economic and humanitarian aid. However, he has also stated his opposition to using profits from frozen Russian assets to purchase weapons for Ukraine.

Austria's neutrality policy has been criticised by its Western partners, who claim that it betrays a deep-seated cynicism among the country's elites in their dealings with Russia. Despite this, Austria has contributed humanitarian aid worth $2.2 million to Ukraine, as well as supporting Ukraine with substantial humanitarian aid, taking in refugees, endorsing European Union sanctions against Russia, and publicly criticising Putin for violating international norms.

Austria has pledged to invest 30 million euros in Ukraine's reconstruction

Austria has been providing aid to Ukraine since the start of the war, and has also taken in refugees. In April 2024, the country's Foreign Ministry reported that it was supporting Ukraine with 2 million euros ($2.2 million) worth of humanitarian aid. This was part of a broader 21.5 million euros ($23.3 million) funding package from the Foreign Ministry's foreign disaster fund.

Austria has also provided economic aid to Ukraine, and has publicly denounced Russian aggression. However, due to its neutrality policy, the country has refused to donate lethal military assistance.

On 12 October 2023, Austria pledged to invest 30 million euros in Ukraine's reconstruction as part of the recently launched special program for Ukraine and Moldova (SPUR) within the International Development Association (IDA), a branch of the World Bank Group. This investment is intended to support the repair and reconstruction of transport, energy, and health infrastructure in Ukraine. In addition, Austria pledged immediate further support of 10 million euros through the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund (URTF), bringing the total amount to 40 million euros.

According to Finance Minister Magnus Brunner, "Austria is once again showing its solidarity with countries hit by crises. With this investment, we underline our commitment to supporting reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine and Moldova." Austria's contribution to the IDA will enable the funds to be leveraged to a volume of approximately 90 million euros. This will specifically contribute to closing funding gaps in important framework projects in Ukraine in the areas of energy, transport infrastructure, and health.

Austria's support for Ukraine also extends to investments in the country's future. In May 2024, the country announced the creation of a special fund that aims to allocate up to 500 million euros over the next five years to support Austrian exports to Ukraine. Approximately 100 million euros per year is earmarked for new business, opening up opportunities for Austrian exporters in Ukraine's reconstruction.

Austria has urged other countries to increase sanctions against Russia

Austria has been helping Ukraine in several ways, including providing humanitarian aid, taking in refugees, endorsing European Union sanctions against Russia, and publicly criticising Putin for violating international norms. However, Austria has also tried to maintain its neutrality and not damage its relationship with Russia, with which it has strong commercial ties.

Austria's foreign minister, Alexander Schallenberg, has emphasised that Austria's stance is not pro-Russian and that the country supports European unity. He stated that Austria's position is to respect international law and agreements. However, Austria's relationship with Russia has been ambivalent, and it has been criticised for not taking a stronger stance against Russia.

Austria's support for sanctions against Russia and its contribution to Ukraine's reconstruction demonstrate its commitment to helping Ukraine and promoting peace and stability in Europe. However, its ambivalent approach has also been noted, and it remains to be seen if Austria will take a stronger stance against Russia in the future.

Frequently asked questions