Russia Sanctions

City of Vienna Establishes Energy Crisis Unit

The City of Vienna established an advisory committee on energy supply, which will work as a crisis unit on energy supply issues. Together with the crisis unit that has existed since the Covid pandemic, it is to accompany the preparations for the winter and make proposals for measures to secure energy supplies.

October 17, 2022

Austria Calls for Common European Gas Price Cap at EU Summit in Prague

At the first meeting of the "European Political Community", the informal summit of EU heads of state and government in Prague, Austria attracted particular attention by wanting to define a common EU gas price cap. For Austria's Chancellor Karl Nehammer it was clear in Prague that there would be "no embargo via the back door" when it comes to Russian gas.

October 11, 2022

Weekly Briefing: Presidential Elections in Austria

The Find out more about this week's developments. In Austria, the presidential elections will be held on Sunday. There are new diplomatic and economic developments in Vienna. And there is new art in town! Read about the latest developments in diplomacy in Vienna and Austria.

October 6, 2022

Former Austrian Foreign Minister Kneissl Explains Reasons for Move to Lebanon

Austria's former Foreign Minister and ex-FPÖ politician Karin Kneissl explained at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok why she moved to Lebanon instead of Russia. The ex-politician will take part in a discussion tomorrow on a Russian export route in the Arctic Ocean.

September 5, 2022

Opening of the European Forum Alpbach 2022

The 77th Forum was officially opened by the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu. The Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer also gave a speech in the course of the opening. After more than two Corona years, the Forum is held again in full capacity and is marked by the war in Ukraine.

August 22, 2022

Weekly Briefing: New Economic Developments

The Find out more about this week's developments. The war in Ukraine is also making itself increasingly felt in the Austrian economy. In Vienna, there are new developments in the day-to-day business of diplomacy. Read about the latest developments in diplomacy in Vienna and Austria.

August 18, 2022

Vienna's Luxury Shops Struggle with the Loss of Russian Tourists

During the past two decades, Russian tourists with purchasing power have enriched the city centre's luxury shops, but since the invasion of Russian troops in Ukraine, hardly anyone visits the Austrian capital. According to the latest statistics, fewer than one percent of tourists staying overnight in Vienna are Russians. Due to the loss of purchasing power, the tourism industry in Vienna suffers greatly.

August 15, 2022

What Happened to the Russian Sberbank in Vienna after the Invasion of Ukraine?

The Russian bank Sberbank is one of the largest in Europe and has been hit hard by the European Union sanctions triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. To find out what happened to its Vienna branch and whether it can continue to do business in Austria, read on.

August 10, 2022

Iran Nuclear Talks: Iran Can Build Nuclear Bomb, But Does Not Intend to Do So

Iran says it is technically capable of producing a nuclear bomb. But the country does not intend to do so, the semi-official Fars news agency quoted the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Agency, Mohammed Eslami.

August 1, 2022

Austria Will Take Common Line with Germany on Gas Storage

Germany and Austria have joint responsibility for storing gas, according to Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens). "We have always coordinated well with Germany," the minister said today, referring to the Haidach storage facility near Salzburg, which is also important for Germany.

July 25, 2022

New EU Gas Emergency Plan: "Must Prepare for the Worst Case"

Recently, the European Commission presented its new EU Gas Emergency Plan under the title "Save gas for a safe winter". In this, the European Commission assumes that consumers can save up to 15% gas. The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber is pleased with the Commission's plans.

July 22, 2022

Joint Trip of Austrian and Czech Foreign Ministers to Ukraine

Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg traveled to Kyiv with Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský. In addition to talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, the program included visits to the Hostomel and Irpin war sites, which testify to the sheer brutality of Russia's Invasion of Ukraine.

July 21, 2022

Austrian Foreign Minister in Brussels: "Sanctions are Having an Effect"

This week, the Foreign Affairs Council met in Brussels to discuss the status of the Russian aggression in Ukraine as well as the coordination of sanctions and assistance. Relations with Latin American and Caribbean countries and digital diplomacy were also discussed.

July 20, 2022

Emotional Appeals From Zelenskyy, Clooney and Others During 4Gamechangers Event in Vienna

During his first live address to Austria Thursday, Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an emotional appeal. Moreover, he called for tougher sanctions against Russia as well as increased support for Ukraine. Selenskyj said during a 4Gamechangers festival circuit that the war is also a "gamechanger" for Europe. An earlier appearance by Hollywood star George Clooney created a stir.

July 5, 2022

Austrian Ministers Visit Egypt on a Joint Trip

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner traveled together to Egypt, to strengthen the cooperation with the Arabic Republic and North Africa. The meetings focused on the war in Ukraine, its global consequences, illegal migration, combating human trafficking and human rights.

July 3, 2022

Russian Food Markets in Vienna Under Pressure

Specialty foods such as vodka, buckwheat, and chocolate are available in Vienna's Russian groceries. Since Moscow invaded Ukraine, Austrian-Russian traders have been worried about import difficulties and hostility.

June 28, 2022

Moody's Declares Russia in Default

The U.S. company Moody’s announced in New York that it was concerned with interest payments on two government bonds that had not been received by creditors even after a default period of 30 days had expired.

June 28, 2022

Austria has Frozen the Assets of Russian Oligarchs Worth 1.5 Billion Euros

The Austrian authorities have frozen the assets of 1.5 billion euros belonging to Russian oligarchs since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.

June 26, 2022

Weekly Briefing: Newest Developments in Diplomacy and Vienna

Read about the newest developments in Diplomacy in Vienna and Austria. Further, Austria is strengthening its efforts in aiding Ukraine, international politics and local grievances. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov visited Iran. The Find out more about this week's developments.

June 23, 2022

Austrian Ministry of Justice Wants Better European Cooperation in the Area of Justice

Justice and Home Affairs Ministers are discussing stricter environmental criminal law, better international cooperation on criminal offenses and Russia sanctions in the European Council. The Austrian Ministry of Justice under Alma Zadic welcomes stricter prosecution of environmental crimes and a united effort to sanction Russian oligarchs.

June 9, 2022

EU Oil Embargo: Little Impact on Austria's Economy Expected

The planned EU embargo on Russian oil in response to the war of aggression in Ukraine will have far-reaching consequences for Europe. This is also the case for Austria. In a report, the Austrian National Bank examines the impact on the Austrian economy and forecasts comparatively mild effects. Nevertheless, the embargo conceals a number of risks that could also have a serious impact on Austria.

June 8, 2022

Trilateral Presidential Meeting Between the Presidents of Austria, Croatia and Slovenia

Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen met with his counterparts from Croatia and Slovenia, Zoran Milanovic and Borut Pahor, in Croatia for the traditional triennial meeting. The focus is on the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans, as well as the impact of the Russian war in Ukraine.

June 5, 2022

Belarusian Opposition Leader Tsikhanouskaya Met Foreign Minister Schallenberg in Vienna

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met Foreign Minister Schallenberg in Vienna at the Austrian Foreign Ministry. The meeting focused on the current state of politics in Belarus and Russia.

June 2, 2022

OPEC Considers Possible Exclusion of Russia From Oil Production Agreement

OPEC countries are apparently considering the exclusion of non-OPEC member Russia from the concluded oil production agreement. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, which cites statements from insider circles, other OPEC countries could step in to meet production targets following Russia's exclusion.

June 1, 2022

Austria Against Gas Embargo

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Austria are against a gas embargo and Chancellor Nehammer emphasized that a gas embargo will not be part of further sanctions.

May 31, 2022

Russo-Ukrainian War - EU Adopts Fifth Sanctions Package to Put Pressure on Russia

Recently, new sanctions against the Russian state were published. The EU is trying to put economic pressure on the Kremlin and cut off the sources of financing for the invasion of Ukraine. What new measures are taken, you can read here.

April 8, 2022

Austrian Chancellor Met Scholz and Habeck in Berlin: "Russian Energy Embargo Not an Issue"

Olaf Scholz and Karl Nehammer recently met in Berlin to discuss the tense political situation. The Russian Federation's attack on Ukraine triggered a chain reaction of economic sanctions. Germany and Austria stand side by side as partners and want to respond to the difficulties together.

April 4, 2022

Nehammer at EU Summit: Russia Sanctions and Western Balkans Support

The EU summit, which was also attended by U.S. President Joe Biden, focused on the political crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Austrian chancellor Karl Nehammer attended the European Council too and expressed the importance of stability in the Balkans. Read about the European Council and the chancellor's visit to Brussels.

March 28, 2022
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