Neutrality in itself does not protect us. It can be fruitful to have a debate about our NATO membership. This was stated by the Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger to WELT.
„What protects Austria against the background of the increasingly uncertain global security situation and an increasingly aggressive Russia is the investment in our own defense capabilities, but also in partnerships. I am open to a public debate on the future of Austria's security and defense policy. Although there is currently no majority in parliament or among the population for NATO membership, such a debate could be very fruitful”, she said.
NEXTA writes that for the first time in decades Austria is talking so openly about the possibility of the country becoming a member of NATO. Two other countries, who have maintained neutrality for decades - Sweden and Finland - joined the alliance because of Russian aggression against Ukraine.
“We cannot sit idly by and say that if we don't hurt anyone, no one will hurt us. That would be naive. The world has changed“, said Reisinger.
“But I would like to say it explicitly: With the EU, we already have a partner who will protect us in an emergency. At the same time, we make a significant contribution to European security. We deploy soldiers in numerous EU peacekeeping missions and do everything we can to support the common European security and defense policy financially, militarily and politically. In this respect, Austria's neutrality has already changed noticeably since it joined the EU in 1995“, Reisinger pointed out.
Regarding the war in Ukraine, the Austrian Minister said that "Ukraine wants peace, Russia doesn't. If Putin was really interested in peace, he would have started ceasefire talks right now".
"Russia is suffering huge losses. At some point, Russia's coffers will start piling up. Add to that the catastrophic economic situation. It is becoming increasingly difficult for the Kremlin to continue this war. Putin knows that his time is running out. That is why he is waging the war now with such brutal intensity," Reisinger said.