Austria's Armed Forces and Defense Minister Tanner Hold Back on Possible Ukraine Mission
The question of Austrian participation in a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine is becoming the focus of Austria's military debate, but it is met with skepticism in the Ministry of Defense. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, including a recent meeting in Washington, Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) remains cautious.
Austrian Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner is dampening expectations of a rapid deployment of Austrian Armed Forces soldiers. / Picture: © Bundesheer/Gunther Pusch
As reported by ORF, Defense Minister Tanner has made it clear that it is currently “too early” to discuss possible scenarios. She has therefore not issued any orders to prepare for such a mission. However, a possible peacekeeping operation could affect Austria, as Russia rejects the deployment of troops from NATO countries. Austria, as a neutral state, could therefore be brought into the discussion.
Both the Federal Chancellery and the Ministry of Defense emphasize that participation in a peacekeeping mission would require a mandate from the European Union or the United Nations, as well as a resolution by the Austrian Parliament. Furthermore, the deployment of soldiers on foreign missions by the Austrian Armed Forces is based exclusively on voluntary participation, which makes it difficult to estimate the exact number of soldiers potentially available at this point in time.
The Austrian government's reluctance comes amid ongoing international talks. A meeting in Washington between US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and selected European heads of government did not produce any concrete results. Neither new sanctions against Russia nor an immediate ceasefire could be agreed upon. It is noteworthy that the parties are now using Putin's proposal for a “peace agreement” as a basis for discussion.
Colonel Dr. Markus Reisner from the Austrian Ministry of Defense analyzes the situation as complex. He points out that although diplomatic channels remain open, key players such as China and India, which indirectly support Russia, were not involved in the talks. This makes a sustainable solution difficult.
Since May 2025, Germany has been governed by the new Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is committed to strengthening the defense readiness of Germany and Europe. It remains to be seen whether the new German government would take a leading role in a possible peace mission. Nevertheless, current developments show that the debate about the future security architecture of Europe and the role of neutral states is gaining momentum.
Despite diplomatic efforts, fighting in Ukraine continues unabated. Russian airstrikes and heavy fighting in the Donbas underscore the urgency of finding a solution, which still seems far off.