Russia-friendly Austria Breaks with its Neutrality: "Enough is Enough"

The Austrian leadership has directly addressed the Ukrainian people with a video message of solidarity.

In the statements, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer let the Ukrainians know that the Austrian people "deeply sympathize with your fate".

We are deeply saddened by the injustice that is being inflicted on you before the eyes of the world these days, the Federal President said.

We will ensure that Russia's violations of international law do not go unanswered, the Chancellor promised.

It is important to me, it is important to us that you know, that you are not alone, Van der Bellen formulated. Our thoughts and hearts are with you. We are with you.

Austria's people, he said, are deeply affected by the injustice that is being inflicted on you in these days before the eyes of the world. None of this will ever be forgotten, he said. We will not tolerate this. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the war of aggression against your country, which is contrary to international law. 

Van der Bellen announced that he would do everything in our power to restore peace. He also promised humanitarian aid for the people in your country and for those who have fled the war.

Chancellor Nehammer said, "With Russia's unprovoked invasion of peaceful Ukraine in the early hours of this morning, war has returned to Europe. The mobilization of Russian forces is not only an unjustified attack on a sovereign and independent nation. It is also an attack on your legitimate aspirations for freedom, democracy, and the right to determine your own future."

There were numerous civilian casualties, including children, the Chancellor lamented. Many, especially women and children, had to flee. They had to leave their homes behind. They lost husbands, fathers, sons and brothers on the battlefield. The images from Kharkiv, from Kiev and from other Ukrainian cities are shocking, he said.

By attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure, Putin has crossed another red line, he said. At the same time, he said, it is encouraging to see the determination and will with which the Ukrainian people, Government, and President Zelenskyy are defending their homeland.

Together with our European and transatlantic partners, we will ensure that Russia's violations of international law do not go unanswered, the politician stressed, mentioning the sanctions against the Russian Federation adopted by the European Union.

Nehammer also referred to the humanitarian aid that Austria is providing to Ukraine. We help wherever we can, be it with protective equipment, medical supplies, fuel, but also by taking in people from the war zones.

My message to the leadership of Russia is clear, the Chancellor formulated. "Enough is enough. Stop the bloodshed! Withdraw your troops! It is time to sit back at the negotiating table!"

A message to the people of Ukraine.#StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/6CD0mGl1w3

— A. Van der Bellen (@vanderbellen) March 2, 2022

The original text follows:

Dear Ukrainian friends,

We want you to know: You are not alone.

Our thoughts, our hearts are with you. We are with you. The Austrian people stand with you.

We are appalled by the injustice that is inflicted upon you and your country before the eyes of the world.

None of it will go unnoticed.

None of it will be forgotten.

We will not accept it. We denounce the aggressive war being waged on your country in the strongest possible terms.

We will do everything we can to stop it – peace must prevail.

We will do our utmost to deliver humanitarian assistance to those of you who are in Ukraine and to those who were forced to flee abroad.

Because living in peace is a basic human right. In these hardest of days, we wish you strength and courage.

We stand with you.

Dear people of Ukraine! Dear friends!

Thursday, the 24th February 2022, will enter into history as a black day for Europe. With Russia’s unprovoked attack on peaceful Ukraine in the early hours of that day, war has returned to Europe. The unleashing of the Russian Armed forces is not only an unjustified attack on a sovereign and independent nation.

It is also an attack against your legitimate aspirations to freedom, to democracy and to the right to determine their own future. We are seeing scores of civilian casualties, including children. Hundreds of thousands of people have had to flee, mostly women and children. Leaving behind their homes. Many of them have lost husbands, father, sons and brothers on the battlefield.

The images coming to us from Charkiv, from Kyiv and from other Ukrainian cities are shocking. The attacks on the civilian population and on civilian infrastructure is another red line crossed by the Russian Federation

At the same time, it is inspiring to see the determination and will-power with which you the people of Ukraine and your leadership are ready to defend your homeland. For this courage, I salute you.

Together with our European and transatlantic partners, we have been clear and firm in our response: we will make sure that Russia’s violation of international law will not be unanswered.

The European Union has adopted the strongest sanctions against Russia’s economy and financial sector in European history. We have also closed our air space to Russian flights.

At the same time, we will help Ukraine wherever we can. Austria is providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine and we will also assist with protective equipment, medical goods and fuel.

My message to the Leaders of the Russian Federation is clear: enough is enough.

Stop the bloodshed! Pull back your troops! It is time, to get back to the negotiation table!

And my message to the people of Ukraine - to those fighting in the streets, sheltering in their homes or underground, fleeing their homeland – comes from the heart:

We stand by your side. Avstriya z vami.

In these darkest of hours, our thoughts and prayers are with you. The only way forward is peace.

Federal Chancellery of Austria

Presidential Chancellery of Austria