FPÖ calls for account: Selenskyj visit endangers Austria's neutrality?

FPÖ calls for account: Selenskyj visit endangers Austria's neutrality?

Wien, Österreich - On June 16, 2025, the FPÖ submitted an urgent request to Chancellor Christian Stocker to clarify the circumstances of the announced visit of the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj in Vienna. This has led to a pre-laying of the general debate via the stress budget. [ots.at] (https://www.ots.at/presseaus-sung/ots_20250616_ots0039/fpoe-fuerst-kanzler-muss-im-nationalrat-ueber-selenskyj-visiting offset) reports that the FPÖ club chairman Susann Austria has expressed. She criticizes that the reception of a head of state such as Selenskyj, the arms deliveries and NATO accession for his country demands the credibility of Austrian neutrality.

The urgent request includes several questions, including the initiation and preparation of the state visit, the participants in the meetings and media work. Particular attention is paid to neutrality in the position of the Chancellor. Furthermore, the toleration of "enemy lists" is addressed by the Ukrainian leadership, on which Austrian citizens are also recorded. Prince emphasizes that citizens have a great interest in the financial aspects of the visit, especially in terms of security costs and financial commitments.

criticism by Herbert Kickl

FPÖ boss Herbert Kickl also critically commented on the planned visit. In the eyes of Kickl, he could be seen as the government's “foreign policy foul”. He described the visit as "irresponsible" and warns that Austria could become a stage for "war propaganda". These statements come at a time when peace talks between the conflict parties are sought. Kickl also warns that in an escalation of the Austria conflict, the "possible target" could become direct.

A central point in Kickl's criticism is the violation of the Austrian neutrality, which he sees as a constitutional duty, and not as a political option. He also sees the risk that one -sided support for warring parties endangers the role of Austria as a neutral intermediary. Kickl has also given past political initiatives, which in his view have already endangered the country's neutral status, such as Selenskyj's video message to the National Council and the Kiev trip from Meinl-Reisinger.

The dimensions of the neutrality of Austria

In a comprehensive context, the discussion about the Selenskyj visit looks at the dimensions of Austrian neutrality, which has developed over several phases. According to parlament.gv.at, she can be divided into three basic aspects: interpretation, attractiveness and deterrent. These aspects play a key role to evaluate Austria's foreign policy principles in a changing geopolitical environment.

The development of neutrality shows consolidation in 1955, followed by an expansion in the 1970s and 1980s. The subsequent reorientation, especially after the end of the east-west conflict, resulted in an integration of Austria into the EU and an active participation in the common foreign and security policy. Nevertheless, the stagnation has led to a de-politicalization of neutrality since the 2000s, so that there are hardly any debates about neutrality in many political parties today.

While the FPÖ and its leaders express clear warnings of the consequences of an official reception Selenskyj, it remains to be seen how the government will react to the repeated demands for a return to the original neutral position. The public discussion about the financing of the visit will certainly continue, while many Austrians are in a turbulent economic situation.