Russians and People of CIS Countries in Vienna | Russia in Austria - Vindobona.org

Tensions Escalate in Nagorno-Karabakh: The International Community Calls for Immediate Action

The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, the contested territory between Armenia and Azerbaijan, is once again on a knife's edge. Recent developments have escalated tensions, threatening regional stability and raising urgent humanitarian concerns. International organizations like the OSCE and UN are deeply concerned and have convened special meetings to address the issue.

September 21, 2023

Three Seas Initiative Summit Concludes with Resounding Commitments and Strong Support for Ukraine

During the 8th edition of the Three Seas Initiative Summit, the prestigious halls of the Cotroceni Palace welcomed Central and Eastern European leaders. This gathering was a demonstration of unity and determination against a backdrop of increasing geopolitical tension. On this same occasion, the President of Austria stressed support for Ukraine and the common fight against global warming.

September 20, 2023

Austria EU Representative Selmayr at Dispute Because Of "Blood Money" Statement

EU representative Martin Selmayr has called Austrian gas payments to Russia "blood money". Now reprimanded by Vienna and Brussels, EU Commission representative Martin Selmayr does not want to give up his job in Austria.

September 14, 2023

Austria's Former Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl: From Lebanon to St. Petersburg - with Ponies in her Luggage

Karin Kneissl, the former Austrian foreign minister, has become a major figure on the international stage in recent years. Her latest move has now seen her relocate to Russia, more precisely to St. Petersburg.

September 12, 2023

OSCE Chairman Osmani and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Held a Critical Telephone Call About the OSCE

Since February 24, 2022, stress and depression have increased significantly in the OSCE. This is because the most important political decisions in the OSCE require the consent of all 57 governments. However, this consensus rule is blocked mainly by Russia, which severely limits the organization's ability to act. OSCE Chairman-in-Office Bujar Osmani, who is also the foreign minister of North Macedonia, had a critical telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

September 7, 2023

Danube Ports in Ukraine in Focus of Russian Attacks

International tensions over Ukraine are having an increasing impact on Danube ports in the region. The Vienna-based International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) expressed concern about repeated Russian aggression against Ukrainian ports along the river, particularly in Reni and Izmail.

September 3, 2023

Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg at Crimea Platform

Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg virtually participated in the Crimea Platform Summit - an initiative of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs working to restore Ukraine's full sovereignty over Crimea in accordance with international law. The meeting took place on the eve of Ukrainian Independence Day.

August 23, 2023

OSCE Chairman-in-Office Osmani Visited Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan

During his recent diplomatic tour, Bujar Osmani, the Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and also the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, concluded his official visits to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The purpose of his trip was to strengthen regional cooperation and enhance the OSCE's involvement in addressing the diverse security challenges prevalent in the region.

August 16, 2023

Austrian Minister of Social Affairs Travels to Moldova for Working Visit

In an official trip, the Austrian Minister of Health and Social Affairs, Johannes Rauch, visits the Republic of Moldova to negotiate bilaterally with Moldovan ministerial counterparts and representatives of WHO, EU, and NGOs.

July 26, 2023

Strengthening Diplomatic Ties: Outcomes of Austrian-Armenian Meeting in Vienna

The meeting between the Austrian and Armenian Foreign Ministers addressed crucial regional and global issues, including migration, security, and humanitarian challenges. The signing of the Readmission Agreement Protocol and discussions on various topics laid a foundation for further cooperation and diplomatic efforts between the two nations.

July 25, 2023

OSCE Monitoring Reveals Instances of Torture and Sexual Violence in Ukraine

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has released a new report summarizing its continuous monitoring of international law violations following Russia's military attack in Ukraine.

July 17, 2023

Viennese International Economic Institute: Growth in Eastern Europe Weaker than Expected

The Central and Eastern European EU member states recorded weaker economic growth in the first quarter of this year, according to a recent study by the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (WIIW).

July 6, 2023

Russia and Ukraine Accuse Each Other of Sabotage at Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant

Kyiv and Moscow have voiced accusations against each other regarding possible acts of sabotage at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. The Kremlin described the situation as tense, while Ukraine again accused Russia of planting explosive devices at the nuclear plant. The International Atomic Energy Agency also continues to express concern.

July 5, 2023

Franco-Austrian Cooperation for Clean Water in Eastern Europe

France's Ambassador to Austria, Gilles Pécout, spearheaded a round table discussion in Vienna as part of the "EU4Environment-Water Resources and Environmental Data" program. This initiative, funded by the European Union, the Austrian Development Agency, and the Artois-Picardie Water Agency (France), aims to support Eastern Partnership countries in their journey towards European standards for water resources and environmental data management.

July 5, 2023

Security Review Conference Convened by OSCE Chairpersonship

The OSCE Chairpersonship organized the Security Review Conference in 2023 to address the security crisis and promote multilateral engagement. High-level representatives gathered to assess security threats, including the humanitarian impact of Russia's war against Ukraine.

July 4, 2023

Diplomatic Trip to Styria: Between Business Location and Chocolate Paradise

After a break of several years due to COVID - Pandemic, the traditional diplomatic excursion finally took place again. This time, the ambassadors based in Austria had the opportunity to get to know the many facets of the local culture, innovative strength, and culinary delights in Styria.

June 29, 2023

Austria's Interior Minister Karner Refers to EU Entry Ban on Question of Asylum for Prigozhin

Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner has stated that the head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has no prospect of asylum in Austria. Initially, Karner spoke of a case-by-case examination to answer a related question but later specified via a spokesman that Prigozhin was on the EU sanctions list and therefore not allowed to enter the country.

June 26, 2023

Mansion in Austrian Kitzbühel Bought by Sanctioned Russian Oligarch

Russian oligarch and confidant of President Vladimir Putin, Arkady Rotenberg, is said to have financed a house in Kitzbühel, where Putin's daughter is also said to have spent time, according to media reports.

June 21, 2023

Austria Supports IAEA with 1 Million Euro for Nuclear Safety in Ukraine

Austria has decided to support nuclear safety efforts in Ukraine by providing one million euros to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

June 11, 2023

Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg Attends Gymnich Meeting

At the Gymnich meeting in Stockholm in May 2023, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg focused on the discussion of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the EU's relations with China.

May 15, 2023

OSCE Experts Present Findings on Child Abductions in Ukraine to Permanent Council

A recent report by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) demonstrates that practices that violate international humanitarian law have been used in the abduction of Ukrainian children to areas controlled by Russia, or even as far away as Russia itself. OSCE experts were tasked to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding possible violations of OSCE commitments and possible cases of war crimes.

May 4, 2023

Austria Foreign Minister Schallenberg Travelled to Luxembourg for EU Meeting

Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg traveled to Luxembourg for the Foreign Affairs Council. The meeting of EU foreign ministers focused on the fierce fighting in Sudan, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and its global impact, and the situation in Iran.

April 25, 2023

Austria May Step In to Chair the OSCE According to the Media

Russia has been opposing Estonia's leadership of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2024 for months. Citing diplomatic circles, it was reported that the Austrian Foreign Ministry (BMEIA) was considering stepping in for the rotating chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) in Vienna.

April 24, 2023

Secretary General of the Council of Europe Pejčinović Burić visiting Vienna

Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić met the Austrian President and key ministers and personalities during an official visit to Austria. Among others, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg received the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić for a working meeting in Vienna.

April 23, 2023

Schallenberg Doubles Down on Edtstadlers Statement about Putin

Austrian Europe and Constitution Minister Karoline Edtstadler said yesterday that if Russian President Vladimir Putin comes to Austria, he will be arrested. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg confirmed those statements today.

April 12, 2023

IAEA Head Grossi is Concerned about the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has once again expressed concerns about the fighting around the Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Zaporizhzhya. Head of IAEA Rafel Grossi holds on to the implementation of a security concept.

March 30, 2023

OSCE Will Investigate Allegations Against Russia on Child Abductions

The abduction of Ukrainian children in the wake of Russia's war of aggression is to be investigated within the framework of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

March 30, 2023

Austrian OMV Declares Exit from Russian Gas as "Extremely Difficult"

The CEO of the Austrian energy group OMV, Alfred Stern, currently sees hardly any possibility to get out of the Russian business with natural gas. He also sees no alternative to fossil fuels in the short term and talked about relations with Asia-Pacific.

March 28, 2023

FPÖ-Uproar over Planed Zelenskyy Speech in the Austrian Parliament

A virtual speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled for March 30 in the Austrian parliament. In the run-up to the event, the Austrian party with good relations with the Kremlin, the FPÖ, has voiced sharp criticism.

March 26, 2023

Austria Before Participation in European Initiative "Sky Shield"

Austria has taken a big step towards participating in the "Sky Shield" initiative, in other words, the joint planned air defense system of European countries. Austria is thus participating more strongly in an all-European defense.

March 21, 2023

Justice Minister Zadic Welcomes the International Arrest Warrant against Putin

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an International arrest warrant against Russian president Vladimir Putin that Austrian Minister of Justice Alma Zadic has welcomed it.

March 19, 2023

OPEC Fund Approves New Financing to Fulfill its Climate Action Plan

The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) approved more than $300 million in new funding in the first quarter of 2023, reflecting the institution's commitment to fulfilling its Climate Action Plan. Three of the four projects approved by the OPEC Fund's Governing Board directly support climate finance.

March 15, 2023

Austrian Justice Minister Zadic Wants to Strengthen the International Criminal Court

EU justice ministers have met again in Brussels to discuss the legal consequences of Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine. Austria's Justice Minister Alma Zadic wants to strengthen the International Court of Justice in the fight against war crimes in the Ukraine war.

March 12, 2023

City of Vienna: Europe's Nuclear Energy Sector is Heavily Dependent on Russia

The European Union's recently adopted tenth package of sanctions against Russia continues to leave one area completely untouched - nuclear energy. A new study by the Cities for Nuclear Free Europe network, where Vienna is also involved, aims to prove interconnections between the European and Russian nuclear sectors.

March 5, 2023

SOS Children’s Villages under Pressure for the Abduction of Ukrainian Children

Already last week, the internationally active aid organization SOS Children's Villages, founded in Austria, was confronted with accusations of being involved in the abduction of Ukrainian children to Russia.

March 2, 2023

Ex-OMV Chief Doubts Policy Statements on Russian Gas Pullout

Russian gas supplies to Austria are currently causing discussions. While the Austrian government wants to do without gas supplies from Russia altogether by 2027, OMV refers to long-term contracts.

March 1, 2023

Schallenberg Condemns Russia and Shows Support for Ukraine in OSCE Speech

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg held a speech at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) sharply condemning Russia and reassuring the ongoing support for Ukraine.

February 26, 2023

8.000 People Were Demonstrating in Vienna on War Anniversary

As the first anniversary of the Russo-Ukraine War has marked, the Ukrainian diaspora in Austria has held large demonstrations in Vienna. They started their march from the Parliament and ended up in Karlsplatz.

February 26, 2023

More than 40 Incidents at Ukrainian Nuclear Power Plants since the Beginning of the War

Since the war in Ukraine began a year ago, the country's nuclear power plants have been affected by more than 40 incidents. Nuclear security in Ukraine is still at a worrying risk. This is according to a report published by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna.

February 24, 2023

Secretary General of the Austrian Foreign Ministry Shows Solidarity With Ukraine at UN General Assembly

Secretary General of the Austrian Foreign Ministry Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal held a speech at the UN General Assembly in New York promoting peace and condemning the violation of human rights.

February 23, 2023

FPÖ-Russia Relations After a Year of War in Ukraine

Traditionally close to the Kremlin, Austria's Freedom Party is currently part of a thriller in parliament. Its party finances and any contracts with the Russian party United Russia are still not largely known, even after a year of war in Ukraine.

February 22, 2023

Another Austrian Chancellor's Trip to Putin is no Taboo for Foreign Minister Schallenberg

After Austria's Chancellor Karl Nehammer made a trip to Vladimir Putin shortly after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a renewed trip to the Russian ruler after a year of the war is again under discussion. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg does not rule out another trip to Moscow by Chancellor Karl Nehammer.

February 22, 2023

Minister Edtstadler Defends Visa Exemptions for Russians

Austrian Europe Minister Karoline Edtstadler has defended Austria’s decision to grant visas to the Russian Delegation amidst the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly.

February 21, 2023

Who Were the Four Expelled Austrian Diplomats in Moscow?

The expulsion of the Austrian diplomats, who must leave Russia, will lead to a significant reduction in embassy staff. But what positions did the diplomats hold?

February 20, 2023

Raiffeisen Probed by U.S. Sanctions Authority

Raiffeisen Bank International, an Austrian lender that plays a critical role in the Russian economy, is under investigation by the US sanctions authority over its Russia-related business.

February 18, 2023

Ukraine Wants to Boycott OSCE-Meeting Because of Russian Delegation

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is not going through its best times. Especially Austria’s role in it. After many countries sent an open letter to Austria to disinvite the Russian delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly, countries are now boycotting the meeting.

February 16, 2023

Moscow Expels Four Austrian Diplomats from Russia

Russia has announced that it will expel four Austrian diplomats. In addition to the expulsion of the Austrian diplomats, the Austrian ambassador in Moscow, Werner Almhofer, was also cited to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This comes as a kind of retaliation after Vienna itself expelled four Russian diplomats a few weeks ago.

February 16, 2023

OSCE Chairman-in-Office Bujar Osmani Visits Moldova

The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Chairman-in-Office and Foreign Minister of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani visited Moldova. The country needs the support of the OSCE as it could be next on Russia’s list after Ukraine.

February 14, 2023

Russian Ambassador Lyubinsky Criticized Austria

Russia's Ambassador to Vienna Dmitry Lyubinsky detects an erosion of Austria's neutrality status and sees a "huge minus sign" in front of Russian-Austrian relations. However, Lyubinsky also spoke of maintaining contacts with influential people in Austria.

February 13, 2023

Austria's Vice-Chancellor and Sports Minister Kogler Against Russia's and Belarus's Participation in the 2024 Olympics

Unlike the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Austrian Olympic Committee (ÖOC), Austria's Vice Chancellor and Sports Minister Werner Kogler is strictly against Russia's and Belarus's participation in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. According to Kogler, "it is simply unacceptable for Ukrainian athletes to compete against Russian and Belarusian athletes in the fight for medals."

February 9, 2023