Austria may abandon its neutral status, enshrined in the country's constitution, and take steps to join NATO. This was announced in an interview with the German newspaper “Die Welt" by the country's Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger. As the reason for her country's changed position, she pointed to the threat emanating from Russia.
"Neutrality alone will not protect us"
"It is clear that neutrality alone will not protect us. "Against the backdrop of an increasingly uncertain global security situation and an increasingly aggressive Russia, Austria must protect itself through defense investments as well as partnerships," Meinl-Reisinger said. Although there is currently no majority in favor of NATO membership - both in parliament and in society - such a discussion could still be very fruitful, the first Austrian diplomat assured.
Russia accuses Austria of not respecting neutrality
Austria declared neutrality in 1955, when Allied troops, including those of the USSR, withdrew and the principle of "permanent neutrality" was enshrined in the country's constitution. Austria is not a NATO member, but cooperates with the alliance, including through the "Partnership for Peace" program.
As early as May 2023, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Vienna of "rejecting the principles of neutrality" and "unconditionally siding with the West's hostile policy towards Russia". On July 24, 2025, Zakharova repeated this assessment, pointing to the "continuous transit of weapons from Western countries" to Ukraine through Austrian territory.
Meinl-Reisinger heads the liberal Neos party, which has been in a new ruling coalition with the conservative Austrian People's Party and the Social Democratic Party of Austria since early March 2025. In March, the new Foreign Minister visited Kiev and expressed her support for Ukraine. When asked by "Die Welt" whether Russia now has the upper hand in the war against Ukraine, Meinl-Reisinger replied: "I'm not sure about that. Russia is suffering colossal losses."
Meinl-Reisinger: Trump gave Crimea to Putin
"One thing is clear: Ukraine wants peace, Russia doesn't. If Putin were really interested in peace, he would have started ceasefire negotiations right now", the Austrian foreign minister added.
"US President Donald Trump gave Putin Crimea and several eastern regions of Ukraine, so to speak, on a silver platter. He also ruled out the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO. And what is Putin doing? He continues to wage a destructive war throughout the country," she recalled in her interview with „Die Welt" Meinl-Reisinger.
Author: Nikita Oshuev