Russia

Belarus Celebrates 30-Year Anniversary at OSCE While Number of Political Prisoners at Home Has Now Reached 1000

As the Republic of Belarus celebrates its 30th anniversary at the OSCE in Vienna, the number of political prisoners in Belarus has now reached 1000. Although Belarus claims to be a long-standing, active, and committed member, the European Commission's External Action Service notes that Belarus "must adhere to its international commitments and obligations within the OSCE". Meanwhile, it became known that a troop deployment of 30,000 Russian soldiers to Belarus has also taken place.

February 4, 2022

Opec and Non-OPEC Members Agree Further Gradual Increase in Oil Production

At the 25th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting (ONOMM), the oil-producing countries decided upon a gradual increase in oil production for March. Read about this and the other decisions made at the meeting.

February 2, 2022

Sergei Lavrov Expects Clarifications from Individual Western Countries on Russia's Security

The Russian foreign minister's remarks raise hopes for further diplomatic efforts in the Ukraine crisis.

February 2, 2022

Russian Ambassador in Vienna Delivers Message from Lavrov on Security Guarantees in Europe to Schallenberg

Russian Ambassador to Vienna H.E. Dmitry Lyubinsky has delivered a message about "Moscow's position on mutual security guarantees" from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg.

February 1, 2022

U.S. Ambassador Laura Holgate Presented Her Credentials to the United Nations Office at Vienna

Professional U.S. diplomat with expertise in nonproliferation, nuclear deterrence, nuclear security, disarmament, nuclear energy and other related areas becomes ambassador at a time when Europe is facing the greatest threat of war since World War II.

February 1, 2022

How Close Are We to War Between Russia and the Ukraine?

Tensions between Russia and Ukraine remain very high, and some have called a Russian invasion imminent. Read what Nina L. Kruscheva, an expert on Russia and international affairs, said about the likelihood of a war between Russia and Ukraine.

January 31, 2022

Vienna Nuclear Talks: Direct Contacts between Tehran and Washington Possible

Iranian leadership has suggested that Iran may be open to meeting directly with U.S. officials for negotiations to revive the Iran Nuclear Deal. Read about this significant stance change and what it means for the JCPOA.

January 27, 2022

EU Council President in Vienna: "Situation on the Russian-Ukrainian border worrisome"

European Council President Charles Michel was in Vienna to discuss the tense situation at Ukraine's border and other pressing issues with Chancellor Nehammer. Read about their discussion.

January 27, 2022

Brussels: Schallenberg Attends Ukraine Crisis Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers

Foreign Minister Schallenberg attended a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. The meeting, which U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also attended virtually, focused on the ongoing crisis between Russia and Ukraine. Read about the meeting and watch an interview with Foreign Minister Schallenberg.

January 26, 2022

European Leaders Take Unified Position Against Russian Aggression Against Ukraine

Several heads of state - including Ursula von der Leyen, Jens Stoltenberg, Boris Johnson, Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz, Mario Draghi, Charles Michel and Polish President Andrzej Duda, representing the Chairmanship of the OSCE - took part in a virtual meeting organised by the President of the United States Joe Biden, on Russia’s continued military build-up in and around Ukraine and its implications for European and international security.

January 24, 2022

Van der Bellen: New Year's Address to the Diplomatic Corps in Vienna

President Van der Bellen delivered his New Year's address to the Diplomatic Corps in Vienna. He talked about the climate crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and more. Read what the president said and watch his speech.

January 24, 2022

Austria's Position on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, tensions between Russia and Ukraine remain high as Russia still has thousands of troops stationed on the Ukrainian border. Read Austria's position on the issue.

January 22, 2022

Kazakh Foreign Minister in Vienna Promises Investigation into the Unrest

Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Muchtar Tileuberdi met with Foreign Minister Schallenberg in Vienna, and the pair discussed the recent protests and violence in Kazakhstan. Read more about their discussion, and watch their joint press conference.

January 20, 2022

Meet the Permanent Representative of Russia to the OSCE, Mr. Alexander Lukashevich

The Head of Mission of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in Vienna is Mr. Alexander Lukashevich. Learn more about his extensive career in the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia and what he thinks of the status quo of the OSCE.

January 19, 2022

Meet Andrei Plotnikov, Head of the Trade Representation of Russia in Austria

Dr. Andrei Plotnikov, who was born in 1959 in Donetsk in the former Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, currently the embattled eastern part of Ukraine, has been the Head of the Trade Representation of Russia in the Republic of Austria since 2021.

January 18, 2022

Russia-Austria Relationship: "A Window of Opportunity"

Against the backdrop of a simmering military-technical conflict between Russia and the West in Ukraine, Russian bilateral ambassador to Austria Dmitry Lyubinsky says Russian-Austrian ties in the sphere of culture and science have traditionally been "the trump card in relations between the two states."

January 18, 2022

Schallenberg Cautions "Ukraine's Sovereignty Is Not Negotiable Under Any Circumstances"

Foreign Minister Schallenberg recently discussed the current tensions between Ukraine and Russia at a meeting with his counterparts from the EU in Brest, France. Read more about Schallenberg's stance on Ukraine and dealing with Russia in the context of Russia's troop buildup and a recent cyberattack on Ukraine.

January 17, 2022

U.S. and EU Establish "Transatlantic Coordination" Against Russia

Europe and the U.S. are closing ranks in the face of feared Russian aggression against Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and EU High Representative Josep Borrell are determined to "form a strong, clear and united transatlantic front," European Union External Action announced after a phone call between the two. According to the statement, they expressed their commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

January 16, 2022

Meet the Reappointed U.S. Ambassador to the U.S. Mission in Vienna, Laura S.H. Holgate

Laura Susan Hayes Holgate, an American diplomat who was already accredited as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations International Organizations in Vienna and to the IAEA for six months between 2016 and 2017, is back under President Joe Biden.

January 16, 2022

Russia: Authorities Liquidate Memorial, One of the Country's Most Respected Human Rights Groups

The Russian authorities' move to extinguish one of the oldest and most influential human rights groups in the country, demonstrates their relentless determination to end ongoing human rights work in Russia. Memorial's independent institutions outside Russia continue to exist.

January 14, 2022

Meet the New Ukrainian Ambassador to Austria, H.E. Mr. Vasyl Khymynets

The new Ambassador of Ukraine to Austria, H.E. Mr. Vasyl Khymynets, presented his credentials to President Van der Bellen. Learn more about him.

January 13, 2022

Russian Diplomatic Representatives in Vienna Commemorated the Day of the Unknown Soldier

Wreath-laying ceremony at the monument to the Soviet soldier at the Aspern cemetery in Vienna coincided with the Russian Day of the Unknown Soldier, annually celebrated in Russia in memory of Russian and Soviet soldiers who died in hostilities.

January 13, 2022

NATO and Russian Leaders Say Differences "Will Be Hard to Bridge"

Representatives from NATO and Russia met in Brussels at the NATO-Russia Council to try to de-escalate the tensions between Russia and Ukraine and NATO. Read what each side is demanding and why the leaders say the differences "will be hard to bridge."

January 12, 2022

Russian Cultural Diplomacy: 130 Years of Moscow in Vienna

Russian Ambassador to Austria Dmitrij Ljubinskij recently held an event to present a new book on the Russian Embassy in Vienna entitled "Moscow in Vienna: The Palais Nassau - Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Austria." Read about the event and the new book.

January 11, 2022

Joint Statement of the Leaders of the Five Nuclear-Weapon States: Austria's Foreign Minister Calls for Concrete Action

"We finally need concrete progress towards nuclear disarmament according to the obligations of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, but unfortunately the development is going in the wrong direction", says Alexander Schallenberg.

January 10, 2022

Nehammer on First Trip to Brussels as Chancellor: "I'm an Ardent European"

Chancellor Nehammer made his first trip to Brussels for the European Council and the EU Eastern Partnership Summit. There he met with the other heads of state and government of the EU member states, as well as EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Read what Nehammer discussed on the trip.

December 16, 2021

Priorities of Austrian Foreign Policy in the Face of Numerous Global Challenges in 2022

The Foreign Policy Committee of the Austrian National Council recently met to discuss some of the major global challenges going into 2022. Read which issues they discussed and Austria's stance on them.

December 15, 2021

Austria Offers to Build Bridges in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

In the EU Main Committee in the Austrian Parliament, Chancellor Nehammer offered for Austria to be a "bridge-builder" in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Read about the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine and Austria's efforts at de-escalation.

December 14, 2021

International Organizations Continue to Favor Austria as Their Seat

The hosting of international organizations is of great importance for Austrian foreign policy, secures 19,000 jobs and has a gross value added effect of € 1.35 billion per year.

December 13, 2021

Russian Trade Representation in Austria Celebrated 100th Anniversary

The Russian Trade Mission in Austria celebrated its 100th anniversary on December 7, 2021. On this day, exactly 100 years ago, the agreement between Russia and Austria was signed, after which the Trade Representation of Soviet Russia in Austria was established.

December 8, 2021 · Updated: December 8, 2021; 18:20

Towards a Powerful European Security and Defense Policy to Counter Authoritarian Regimes

"We are in a systemic rivalry with authoritarian regimes such as Russia and China and must make every effort to defend the international rules-based order. It is a matter of protecting the principles of international law, human rights and the international peace order." Against the backdrop of events in Afghanistan, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen argues for the expansion of Europe's military competencies.

December 8, 2021

Wirecard Scandal: Europol Manhunt for Europe's Most Wanted "Marsalek"

Former COO of Wirecard Jan Marsalek, one of Europe's most wanted fugitives, is still the target of an international manhunt for his suspected role in a multi-billion euro fraud scheme. Read about the ongoing search for Marsalek and Europol's 2021 "EU's Most Wanted" campaign.

December 7, 2021

OSCE Summit in Stockholm: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Meets Austria's Linhart

Amid growing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is meeting with Foreign Minister Linhart at the annual Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Stockholm, Sweden. Read about their meeting as well as Linhart's agenda for the summit.

December 2, 2021

Meet Leslie Hayden the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Vienna

The Acting Deputy Chief of the U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Vienna is currently Leslie Hayden. Ms. Hayden has had a distinguished career as a member of the foreign service. Learn more about her and her impressive accomplishments.

November 25, 2021

Iran Nuclear Talks to Resume November 29 in Vienna

The Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) talks between China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and Tehran on reviving the Iran nuclear deal will convene in a physical format on 29 November 2021 in Vienna, the EU says.

November 5, 2021

Alexander Maculan Receives Russian Order of Friendship

Alexander Maculan, CEO of TAMAK Holding AG, was awarded the Russian Order of Friendship by Ambassador Dmitrij Ljubinskij at a recent meeting of the Austro-Russian Business Council at the Austrian Chamber of Commerce. Read about Maculan and why he was given this honor.

November 4, 2021

Vienna Hosts "Central 5" Foreign Ministers

The foreign ministers of Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Austria, which make up the informal "Central 5" (C5) forum, recently met at the Albertina in Vienna. Read about the meeting, what Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Linhart said, and watch the full joint press conference.

October 26, 2021

Embassy Building “Palais Nassau” in Russian Possession for 130 Years

To mark the 130th anniversary of the Russian acquisition of the "Palais Nassau" in Vienna for embassy purposes, Russian Ambassador Dmitrij Ljubinskij presented a special postage stamp and stamp block and ceremoniously stamped them. The ambassador also gave a brief speech on the occasion. Read more about the event and the embassy.

October 7, 2021

Lavrov in Vienna: Tensions Following the Establishment of the Crimea Platform

In the first official bilateral visit of the Russian Foreign Minister to Vienna since 2009, Sergey Lavrov met with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. The working talks included tense issues like the annexation of Crimea, human rights in Russia, Afghanistan, and the refugees on the Belarusian-Lithuanian border. However, they all expressed interest in continued dialogue and finding areas for cooperation between Austria, the EU, and Russia.

August 26, 2021

Ukrainian-Austrian Solidarity: Schallenberg Attends Inaugural Summit of Crimea Platform and Delivers Vaccines

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal hosted Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg in Kiev for working talks. Schallenberg also attended the founding event of the Crimea Platform, which aims to reverse the 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia, and he delivered a shipment of AstraZeneca vaccines to aid Ukraine in the COVID-19 pandemic fight.

August 23, 2021 · Updated: August 23, 2021; 16:48

Many US Diplomats in Vienna Affected by Havana Syndrome

Since President Joe Biden took office, more than 20 US diplomatic officials in Vienna have already reported symptoms resembling the mysterious brain disease Havana syndrome. According to the State Department, the number of cases of the disease is greater in Vienna than in any other city except Havana. But what's behind it?

July 21, 2021 · Updated: July 21, 2021; 16:20

Russian-Austrian Relations: What is the Sochi Dialogue?

The establishment of the Russian-Austrian civil society forum "Sochi Dialogue" dates back to an initiative by Vladimir Putin and Sebastian Kurz in February 2018. The forum's mission is to promote the exchange of views and ideas. What is the status quo?

July 20, 2021

The U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and its New Chargé d’Affaires

A brief look at what the U.S. Mission to the OSCE does and its new Chargé d’Affaires, Courtney E. Austrian.

July 7, 2021

Putin in Exchange with Austrian News Agency: "I Want to Present Myself as a Hospitable Host"

Russian President Vladimir Putin answered APA CEO, Dr. Clemens Pig's questions about Austria-Russia relations, Belarus, freedom of movement, and freedom of information at the 24th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

June 29, 2021

Zeman and Van der Bellen Urge Better Relations with Russia

At a bilateral meeting in Vienna, Czech President Miloš Zeman and his Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen have agreed on the necessity to include Russia in Europe and demand negotiations with the Kreml. Read more below.

June 11, 2021

Estonian President and Van der Bellen: "This was State Kidnapping"

The Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid and her Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen condemn the recent developments in Belarus and demand immediate action from the European Union.

May 28, 2021

U.S. Special Envoy Kerry Discusses Climate Change with Schallenberg and European Foreign Ministers

John Kerry, U.S. President's Special Envoy for Climate, and the European Foreign Ministers, among them Austria's Alexander Schallenberg, met virtually to discuss international cooperation with regard to climate change. What they agreed on and what other topics the Foreign Affairs Council addressed? Read below!

May 12, 2021

Embassies in Vienna Celebrate End of World War II

76 years ago on May 8, World War II ended in Europe. Despite Covid restrictions, selected Viennese embassies held commemorative events.

May 9, 2021

Vienna Hosts Discussion Over Iran Nuclear Agreement

High representatives of the EU, China, France, Germany, Russia, UK, Iran and the United States have come to Vienna in order to discuss a possible revival of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as Iran Nuclear Agreement. Although progress was made, the path to a final decision might be long.

April 12, 2021

WKO Heads: "We Cannot Afford a Pause in Vaccination"

The heads of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce (WKO) are delighted about the possible acquisition of the Russian Covid-19 vaccine "Sputnik V" by the Austrian government. Furthermore, they hold on to their idea of using companies for vaccination programs, similar to the implementation with in-company testing.

March 31, 2021
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