The Kremlin threatens – "Alarm bells must ring for the Freedom Party (FPÖ)"
Russia issued a sharp warning to Austria, indicating that the country could face "deadly consequences" if it joins a Western military alliance. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stated that such a move would end Austria's historical role as a "neutral country" and could make it a target for attacks, similar to what happened with Finland and Sweden after they joined NATO.
These statements came after Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger told the German newspaper Die Welt that "neutrality alone will not protect us." She emphasized that in light of "Russia's increasingly aggressive behavior," Austria must increase its defense investments and consider new security partnerships. Although she acknowledged that there is currently no majority in favor of NATO membership, she stressed that "such a discussion could be very fruitful."
Moscow's threats have provoked angry reactions from the NEOS party. Secretary General Douglas Hoyos accused the Kremlin of trying to undermine Austrian democracy, asserting that "our sovereignty is inviolable." He also criticized the FPÖ party for its ties to Russia, stating that "the alarm bells should ring" when Moscow considers the Freedom Party a partner. In turn, European Parliament member Helmut Brandstätter stated: "The Kremlin wants us weak, but we decide our security, not Moscow."
European spokesperson for NEOS, Dominik Oberhofer, emphasized that any political party considered by the government to threaten Austria with 'violence' as a friend should reconsider its position. For NEOS, Moscow's threats are evidence that Austria cannot remain idle and must rethink its position within the European security landscape.
The Freedom Party (FPÖ) sees things differently. The party's foreign policy spokesperson, Susanne Forst, condemned the Russian threats but accused the government of betraying Austria's tradition of neutrality. She emphasized that neutrality was "the foundation upon which prosperity and freedom were built," warning that rapprochement with NATO or European defense initiatives is a "wrong path" that harms Austria economically and politically. Forst went so far as to describe the policies of Foreign Minister Meinl-Reisinger as a "ghost journey against the interests of our people."