Zelenskyj in Vienna: Political tensions and historical encounter!

Zelenskyj in Vienna: Political tensions and historical encounter!

Today Austria welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj for his first official visit since the start of the Russian war of aggression in February 2022. The reception in Vienna, at which Zelenskyj was accompanied by his wife Olena Selenska, took place with military honors and was hosted by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and his wife Doris Schmidauer. However, the visit brings political tensions and sharp criticism.

How vol.at reported, security measures are extensive during the visit. Parts of Heldenplatz, Volksgarten and Wallnerstrasse were closed across large areas. A police presence has been greatly increased to ensure security, and two public rallies have been announced: one pro-Ukrainian and one against Zelensky's visit.

Political reactions and security

Domestic criticism of the government comes primarily from the FPÖ, which accuses Austria's neutrality of being undermined by the visit. FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl emphasizes that Austria should act as a neutral mediator. At the same time, trade union president Wolfgang Katzian expressed concern about the background of the visit, particularly in relation to the recent arrest of the head of the Ukrainian Confederation of Trade Unions.

During the press conference, scheduled for 3 p.m., Zelensky will address Ukraine's ongoing struggles for freedom and a self-imposed value system. Van der Bellen, on the other hand, will emphasize that Austria is politically on Ukraine's side, even if it remains militarily neutral, and he will call on the Kremlin to end the war and seek negotiations on how to do so kleinezeitung.at reported.

Support and reconstruction

In total, Austria has mobilized 327 million euros in financial and humanitarian aid since the outbreak of the war. More than 200 Austrian companies operate in Ukraine. The cost of rebuilding Ukraine is estimated at around 500 billion euros. Zelensky will also hold talks with high-ranking Austrian politicians, including Chancellor Christian Stocker and Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler, who wants to offer Austria as a possible location for future peace negotiations.

Austria's National Council President Walter Rosenkranz said that bilateral relations and support for Ukraine would remain unchanged. He reiterated that negotiations to end the conflict should take place exclusively with Ukraine. However, the FPÖ has been accused by political competitors of being friendly to Russia, which is further fueling the domestic political debate about support for Ukraine the press analyzed.