Russia's Austrian Annexation: Was It Ever Russian Territory?

Austria has never been a part of Russia. However, the two countries have had a long history of bilateral relations.

Austria was dominated by the House of Habsburg and House of Habsburg-Lorraine from 1273 to 1918. In 1806, when Emperor Francis II of Austria dissolved the Holy Roman Empire, Austria became the Austrian Empire, and was also part of the German Confederation until the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. In 1867, Austria formed a dual monarchy with Hungary: the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

In the 19th century, the two countries were allies during the War of the Polish Succession (1733–1738), the War of the Austrian Succession (1740–1748), the Seven Years' War (1756–1763), and from 1787 to 1791, they both waged separate wars against the Ottomans.

In the 20th century, the two countries were on opposing sides during the First World War and the Cold War. After the Bolshevik revolution in November 1917, the new Russian government began diplomatic efforts to terminate the war with the Central Powers, including Austria-Hungary. These efforts led to the conclusion of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk on March 3, 1918.

In the 21st century, Austria has maintained friendly relations with Moscow. In 2016, the pro-Moscow Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) signed a formal cooperation pact with Putin's United Russia party. In 2018, Austria was one of the few European Union countries that refused to follow the U.K. and others in expelling Russian diplomats after the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter on British soil.

Austria's intelligence services are controlled by a pro-Moscow party, raising fears that Western secrets might be leaked to Russia

Austria has never been a part of Russia. However, the two countries have had a controversial relationship, with Austria being a hub for Russian intelligence operations in Europe.

In 2018, a pro-Moscow party, the far-right Freedom Party, took responsibility for Austria's intelligence services, raising fears that Western security secrets might be leaked to Russia. The Freedom Party was also in control of the Defence and Interior Ministries, and therefore the BVT (Austrian domestic intelligence agency). This led to concerns that Western secrets were no longer safe in Austria.

Austria has historically been a playground for espionage, with Vienna being referred to as the "spying capital of the world". The country's neutral status and central location in Europe have made it attractive to spies. In addition, Vienna is home to several international organisations, including the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and one headquarters of the United Nations, giving diplomatic immunity to many individuals.

Austria's relationship with Russia has been described as warm and, to some partners, controversial. There have been close political ties, particularly with the Freedom Party. There have also been economic ties, with Austrian companies, especially in the energy sector, becoming deeply entwined with Russia.

Austria's close relationship with Russia has strained its relations and co-operation with several Western countries. In 2019, German federal police raised concerns that Austrian intelligence agents aided Russian intelligence services. In the same year, Austrian diplomat Johannes Peterlik came under investigation for leaking confidential documents related to the Skripal poisonings.

In 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Austrian officials launched probes and hearings into Russian interference in intelligence services and business links of Austrian political figures to Russian companies.

Austria's government appears to be drifting closer to Russia

Austria has historically maintained friendly relations with Russia, owing to its constitutionally-mandated status of neutrality, its role as a bridge-builder between the East and West, and its traditional ties with the country. However, concerns have been raised about the country's tilt towards Russia, particularly with the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) being a junior member of the country's coalition government and having been given responsibility for Austria's defense and interior ministries. This has led to fears that Western secrets might be leaked to the Russian government.

Historical ties and neutrality

Austria has historically maintained friendly relations with Russia, and this approach is closely connected to the country's constitutionally-mandated status of neutrality and its traditional role as a bridge-builder between the East and West. Following the Bolshevik Revolution in November 1917, diplomatic relations between Austria and the Soviet Union were established in February 1924. After World War II, Austria was occupied by the Allied armies and divided into four zones. The Soviets did not create a separate socialist government in their zone as they did in East Germany. Instead, Austria 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.

Current concerns

The FPÖ won 26% of the vote in the 2017 legislative elections by deploying anti-establishment, anti-immigrant populist rhetoric that was condemned by opponents as racist, Islamophobic, and anti-Semitic. The party and its leading figures are also unashamedly fans of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The idea of a pro-Russia party controlling intelligence services has led to fears that Western secrets might be leaked to Moscow. In 2016, FPÖ leader Heinz-Christian Strache signed a formal "cooperation pact" with Putin's United Russia party, which was unprecedented for a mainstream political group in Western Europe. The FPÖ has also called for an end to anti-Russia sanctions and backed a referendum on leaving the European Union.

Austria's role in improving EU-Russia relations

Despite the concerns about Austria's tilt towards Russia, the country's longstanding relations with the country and its neutral status could be leveraged to improve relations between the EU and Russia. As a bridge-builder between the East and West, Austria could contribute constructively to a rapprochement between the EU and Russia. According to Prof. Dr. h.c. Horst Teltschik, foreign affairs consultant to the late German chancellor Helmut Kohl, it is imperative for cooperative relations between Russia and the West to understand and respect the interests of the other side, especially in the sphere of security.

Austria was one of the few European Union countries that refused to follow the UK's lead in expelling Russian diplomats after the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter

Austria's response to the Skripal poisoning was viewed as a success. The country had previously been criticised for intelligence failures that allowed the GRU agents to gain access to the UK in the first place. However, the Skripal poisonings put robust action against Russia into action, rallying significant solidarity from the West.

Austria's neutrality and its role as a bridge-builder between the East and West have contributed to its good relations with Russia

Austria's neutrality has been beneficial for its economy, particularly in the energy and finance sectors. Austrian companies have been able to do business with both sides, and the country has become a hub for international diplomacy. This has been especially true in the energy sector, where Austria has acted as a conduit for Russian gas to Western Europe.

Austria's good relations with Russia have also been helped by a sense of mutual respect. Austria has generally treated Russia with respect and has tried to understand its decisions and actions, even when it disagrees with them. This approach has been consistent throughout Austrian foreign policy and has been maintained even during difficult times, such as the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Austria's good relations with Russia are not without controversy, however. There have been accusations of Russian espionage in Austria, and some have criticised Austria's response to the Ukraine crisis as being too soft. Additionally, there are concerns about the extent of Russian influence in Austrian politics and business. Despite these issues, Austria's neutrality and role as a bridge-builder have allowed it to maintain good relations with Russia.

Austria's stance towards Russia is not the result of recent changes in Austrian politics but is closely connected to its longstanding relations with Russia

Austria has been a member of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) since 1995, and Russia is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, a partner of ASEAN, a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the G20, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and the leading member state of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). Both countries are members of the OSCE and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Austria has long been a favourite country for Soviet (now Russian) commerce, banking, and espionage activities. Austrian police sources have stated that the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) maintained its largest European station in Vienna.

Austria's stance towards Russia has been a source of concern for intelligence experts, particularly since the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) was given responsibility for the country's defence and interior ministries, and with them the domestic and military intelligence services. The FPÖ has been a junior member of the country's coalition government since December 2017. The FPÖ is openly supportive of Russia and has been described as "unashamedly fans of Putin". In 2016, the FPÖ leader signed a formal "cooperation pact" with Putin's United Russia party. The FPÖ has also called for an end to anti-Russia sanctions and backed a referendum on leaving the European Union.

However, Austria's stance towards Russia is not solely due to the FPÖ. The country has been neutral since 1955 and has traditionally cultivated close ties with Russia. Austria's policy towards Russia has been described as "a consistent feature of Austrian foreign policy".

Austria's stance towards Russia is also influenced by its constitutional neutrality and its traditional role as a bridge-builder between the East and West.

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