Minister receives Ukraine award - Austrian Freedom Party calls it a "scandal"
Austrian Foreign Minister, Peter Minel-Reisinger (Neos Party), received the Ukrainian Order of Merit from President Volodymyr Zelensky in recognition of her support for Ukraine. The award highlighted her contributions to enhancing cooperation between governments, supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, her charitable work, and promoting the Ukrainian state's standing internationally.
Minel-Reisinger, known for her strong support for Ukraine even before taking office, has not yet publicly commented on the award. However, the FPÖ (Austrian Freedom Party) has strongly criticized this honor, describing it as a "first-class political scandal."
The spokesperson for foreign policy in FPÖ, Susanne Forst, stated that by accepting a medal from a warring state, Meinl-Reisinger is taking a public stance alongside Ukraine, undermining Austria's traditional position of permanent neutrality. Forst added that the medal reflects a pattern of decisions made by the minister that challenge the fundamental principles of foreign policy.
The FPÖ party also criticized the fact that the award was not announced immediately and only became known later. Forest emphasized the need for the federal government to provide clarifications and pointed to the close networks through which the honoring of Karl Habsburg was evident on the same day.
Forest also stated that Minl-Reisinger should resign immediately, halt the flow of funds to Ukraine, and return to neutrality and transparency in Austrian foreign policy. This controversy highlights the deep divisions regarding Austria's stance on the conflict in Ukraine.