Austria And Russia: Cultural And Historical Ties Explored

Austria is not Russian. It is a founding member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OEEC) and joined the EU in 1995. However, there are around 5,500 people of Russian origin living in Austria, mostly in Vienna and Salzburg. There has been a Russian community in Vienna since the 17th century, and the two countries have a long history of bilateral relations.

In recent years, the eurosceptic, Russia-friendly Freedom Party (FPO) has gained popularity in Austria. The FPO won the September 2024 parliamentary election with around 29% of the vote and now has a chance to lead a government for the first time. The FPO is an ally of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz and opposes European Union aid for Ukraine. It also denounces sanctions against Russia as counterproductive and argues that Austria's stance in favour of those violates the country's neutrality.

Historically, Russia and Austria have had a complex relationship. Russia was uninterested in European affairs until the reign of Peter I (1682-1725). In the 18th and 19th centuries, Russia and Austria formed several recurring alliances, often directed against the Ottomans and France. During the First World War, the two countries fought each other, and after the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, the new Russian government worked to terminate the war with Austria-Hungary. Following the war, Austria was occupied by the Allies and divided into four zones.

During the Cold War, Austria maintained its neutrality. It became the first Western European country to import natural gas from the Soviet Union in 1968 and has long been a favourite country for Soviet (and now Russian) commerce, banking, and espionage activities. In recent years, Austria has continued to maintain good relations and close economic cooperation with Russia, even after the 2014 Ukraine crisis.

Austria and Russia have had a long history of bilateral relations, with the two countries being members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

Austria and Russia's relationship can be traced back to the 16th century, when Sigismund von Herberstein led an embassy to the Tsardom of Russia. At the time, the lands that are now part of Austria were a collection of fiefs of the House of Habsburg, whose head was also the Holy Roman Emperor. As the Habsburgs expanded their domain, their relations with Russia, which was also expanding, became vital to European security.

Russia and Austria were allies during several wars, including the War of the Polish Succession (1733-1738), the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748), the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), and the Austro-Turkish War (1788-1791) and the Russo-Turkish War (1787-1792). Both countries also participated in the first and third Partitions of Poland.

The French Revolution created ideological solidarity between the two absolutist monarchies, and they fought together against France during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars.

In the 19th century, Austria and Russia continued to work together to suppress revolutions and preserve the status quo. For instance, in 1848, Russia invaded Hungary to suppress the revolutions and restore Habsburg sovereignty.

However, their relationship was strained during the Crimean War, when Austria maintained a policy of hostile neutrality towards Russia and supported the Anglo-French coalition. This stance angered Tsar Nicholas I of Russia and led to a deterioration in their relations.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Austria-Hungary and the Russian Empire competed for influence in the Balkans, and this rivalry contributed to the diplomatic alliances that led to World War I. During the war, Austria-Hungary and Russia fought each other on the Eastern Front.

After World War I, which resulted in the overthrow of the monarchies in both countries, Austria established diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union in 1924. However, Austria later joined Nazi Germany in the invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II.

Following World War II, Austria was divided into four occupation zones by the Allies, including the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union treated Austria as a defeated Axis power but also adhered to the view that Austria was a victim of Germany. The Soviets occupied parts of Austria, including Vienna, and imposed occupation costs and reparations on the country.

During the Cold War, Austria maintained its neutrality and had close relations with both the East and the West. It joined the European Union in 1995.

In recent years, Austria has sought to maintain good relations and close economic cooperation with Russia, even as Russia's relationship with the West has deteriorated due to events such as the 2014 Ukraine crisis. Austria has not always aligned with the European Union and the United States in imposing sanctions on Russia and expelling Russian diplomats.

Overall, the relationship between Austria and Russia has had its ups and downs, with periods of alliance and cooperation as well as rivalry and conflict. Their shared history and membership in organizations like the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe have shaped their bilateral relations over the years.

There is a Russian community in Vienna, with 5,500 people of Russian origin living in Austria

The Russian Embassy School in Vienna serves Russian families in the city. There is also an Austrian-Russian Chamber of Commerce in the city, and a Russian cultural centre. The InterNations expat community in Vienna includes a vibrant circle of Russian expatriates, who socialise and network with international people in the city.

Austria and Russia have had bilateral relations for centuries, and both are members of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Russia is a major supplier of natural gas to Austria, and Austrian companies such as OMV and Raiffeisenbank have strong links with the country.

The Soviet Union occupied parts of Austria after World War II, with the Red Army committing various war crimes during their occupation

Austria is not Russian, but the country does have a long history of relations with Russia. The two countries have had bilateral relations for centuries, and Russia has long been a favourite country for Soviet (now Russian) commerce, banking, and espionage activities.

During World War II, the Soviet Union occupied parts of Austria, along with the United Kingdom, the United States, and France. The Soviet Union's occupation of Austria began in 1945, after the Vienna Offensive, which lasted from March 16 to April 15, 1945, and resulted in the capture of the city by Soviet troops. The Red Army suffered 94,185 casualties in Austria, with 26,006 killed and 68,179 wounded.

During their occupation of parts of Austria, the Red Army committed various war crimes, including looting and sexual violence against women. The Soviet secret police, the NKVD, were also deployed to extract reparations through requisitions, seizing industrial plants, production installations, and other goods. The Red Army's conduct during their occupation of Austria stands in stark contrast to their propaganda, which instructed soldiers to "be merciless towards German enslavers, but don't offend the Austrian population. Respect their traditions, families, and private property."

The Soviet Union pulled out of Austria in 1955, along with the Western Allies, after Austria promised to remain neutral in the Cold War.

The Freedom Party, a eurosceptic and Russia-friendly political party in Austria, has gained popularity in recent years

The Freedom Party of Austria (FPOe) is a political party in Austria, described as far-right, right-wing populist, national-conservative, and eurosceptic. It has gained popularity in recent years, winning 28.85% of the votes in the 2024 election. The party is known for its friendly stance towards Russia and has been accused of having neo-Nazi ideologies.

The FPOe was founded in 1956 as the successor to the Federation of Independents (VdU), representing pan-Germanists and national liberals. Its first leader, Anton Reinthaller, was a former Nazi functionary and SS officer. While the party did not initially advocate far-right policies and presented itself as a centrist party, it was seen as right-wing extremist due to the presence of former Nazis in its ranks. Over time, however, the party rebranded itself as a centrist party, and its former Nazis rebranded themselves as centrists.

In the 1980s, the FPOe underwent an ideological shift towards right-wing populism under the leadership of Jorg Haider. This change resulted in a surge of electoral support but also led to a splinter group forming, known as the Liberal Forum. In the 1999 election, the FPOe became the second-most popular party in Austria, and it joined a coalition government with the Austrian People's Party (OVP). However, the FPOe soon lost popularity and was embroiled in internal tensions, leading to Haider and other party leaders leaving to form the Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZOe) in 2005.

Heinz-Christian Strache then became the leader of the FPOe, and the party gradually regained its popularity. In 2017, the FPOe once again joined a coalition government with the OVP, with Strache as Vice Chancellor of Austria. However, the Ibiza affair in 2019 led to the collapse of the government and the resignation of Strache. In the subsequent 2019 election, the FPOe's support dropped to 16%.

Despite these setbacks, the FPOe has continued to advocate for Russia-friendly policies. It has called for the lifting of sanctions on Russia and opposed the EU's stance on issues such as the annexation of Crimea. The party has also promoted the idea of "Fortress Austria," aiming to restore Austrians' security and prosperity through firm rules on legal immigration and the remigration of asylum seekers. Additionally, the FPOe has been accused of having ties to Russian actors and participating in events that advance Kremlin interests.

In summary, the Freedom Party of Austria, a eurosceptic and Russia-friendly political party, has gained popularity in recent years, but it has also faced internal struggles and scandals that have impacted its electoral success.

Austria has sought to maintain good relations with Russia, even after the 2014 Ukraine crisis, with the countries sharing commercial ties in the energy and finance sectors

Austria and Russia have had bilateral relations for a long time, even before the formation of the modern Austrian and Russian states. The history of Austria in international relations during the time of the Holy Roman Empire was synonymous with the foreign policy of the Habsburgs. Russia was more or less uninterested in European affairs before Peter I (r. 1682–1725) but there were contacts between the Holy Roman Emperor and the Tsardom of Russia. The most well-known contact was the Embassy conducted by Sigismund von Herberstein in the 16th century.

In 1955, the Republic of Austria adopted a constitutionally-mandated status of neutrality and has since sought to maintain good relations with Russia. This was the case even after the 2014 Ukraine crisis, which saw a drastic deterioration of Russia's relationship with the West. In 2016, the FPÖ leader, Heinz-Christian Strache, announced that his party had signed a cooperation agreement with United Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin's party. Following the national election in 2017, the FPÖ entered the government as a junior partner of the winner ÖVP, headed by Sebastian Kurz.

In 2018, Austria was the first foreign country that Russian President Vladimir Putin visited officially following his reelection for a fourth term as president. During this visit, the CEOs of OMV and Gazprom signed an agreement to extend Russian gas supplies to Austria until 2040, with Putin and Austrian Chancellor Kurz in attendance. This agreement was signed at a time when the two countries were marking 50 years of Soviet/Russian gas supplies to Austria.

In 2021, Russia exported $631 million worth of goods to Austria, with crude oil being the main item. Austria, in turn, exported $2.28 billion worth of goods, with medical products being the top item. Between 1995 and 2021, Russian exports to Austria have risen by an average of 1.57% per year, while Austrian exports to Russia have risen at an average of 4.07% per year.

Despite publicly criticising Russia's actions in Ukraine, as of 2023, commercial ties between the two countries remain fairly intact, especially in the energy and finance sectors. Two-thirds of Austrian companies operating in Russia, such as Raiffeisenbank (Russia) and Red Bull, plan on staying in the country, and OMV continues to import gas from Russia.

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