Thoughts about Austria's neutrality
In an interview, the late chancellor Bruno Kreisky warned a journalist: “Learn from History!” I agree, let us learn from historical events! The current European situation set the limelight on the issue of Austrian military neutrality. Chancellor Nehammer raised the matter of NATO membership, adding at the same time that changing the neutral status of the country is out of question. All the delicate issues related to the war in Ukraine should be widely discussed and coordinated between the Chancellery, the Presidency and the Parliament. Changing Austria's neutrality could be exclusively done by a referendum only, but this is not a topic of discussion anyway, not to mention that in the current situation, the traditional mediator role of neutral Austria is urgently needed, once again.
The conflict in Ukraine is complex, with numerous causes and reasons, and it cannot be reduced to the Russian invasion alone. It is clear to all political observers that Putin would not leave himself cornered, not from NATO expanding to the east,
no from China, expanding towards the west.
Different sensitive issues, starting with the Ukrainian government's language laws to Russian natural gas deliveries, respectively the status of Crimea poured oil on the fire. Do not forget that the USA want to be the biggest player in the global energy market and American companies want to take over in Europe this business. That is why the US in every way is fueling EU sanctions against Russia. The military neutrality of Ukraine and the free trade should be achieved through a diplomatic solution, instead of sanctions, their only effect is to push Russia into China's arms and the world won't turn into a safer place.
Austria's neutrality has never been so important as it is today. In the condition that many NATO countries have sided already in the Russo-Ukrainian war and are supplying weapons to Ukraine. Are we able to avoid WWIII? Let's learn from historical events until it is not too late!
Original: Fetes Kata: Gondolatok Ausztria semlegességéről (extract)
