In the capital Kyiv he will meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Mayor Vitali Klitschko. The program also includes a local inspection in the city of Bucha, where more than 300 civilians died in alleged Russian war atrocities. The return is on Sunday.
On Friday evening, the Chancellor first flew to Poland, from where the delegation, including media representatives, continued on a night train from Przemysl to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, around 700 kilometers away. Przemysl is located 13 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The airspace over Ukraine is closed because of the war.
“Continue to support Ukraine in the best possible way”
The aim of the visit is to “continue to provide Ukraine with the best possible humanitarian and political support,” said the Federal Chancellery. “Austria has already provided more than 17.5 million euros from the foreign disaster fund and delivered 10,000 helmets and over 9,100 protective vests for civilian use. Further specific measures are already being coordinated and will be announced in the near future.”
Nehammer explained in an interview with Austrian journalists: “The war situation shows that it is important for Ukraine not only to believe in integrity and freedom, but also in Europe.” Therefore, the stay in Kyiv is also a signal of “recognition of statehood, independence and state leadership.” It is important “that, within the framework of our neutrality, we support Ukraine on both a humanitarian and a political level.” The visit also served to show “our solidarity” with the Ukrainian population.
“Most emotionally and personally moved”
“What is happening in Ukraine, and in particular in many cities in Ukraine, is a terrible war of aggression at the expense of the civilian population,” said Nehammer, who admits that the war has moved him “emotionally and personally”. The “most formative” in his political life so far was the terrorist attack in Vienna in November 2020 with four dead. “I didn’t think something would come that surpasses that.” But that was the case in the case of the Ukraine war.
The “war crimes that have become known” must be “completely cleared up,” demanded the Chancellor, “by independent and international experts.” Those responsible for these crimes “must and will” be held accountable, Nehammer said. “I’ll get an idea of the situation on the ground for myself. Austria will continue to help where it can. We are demonstrating our willingness to help both on the ground and when we take in displaced persons from the war zones. Ukraine can look forward to the leave the free world.”
On the occasion of Nehammer’s visit, Ukraine is also hoping for a constructive role on the part of Austria in current sanctions issues in relation to Russia, as well as an active engagement in the reconstruction of the country. This was emphasized by the Ukrainian ambassador in Vienna, Wassyl Chymynez (Vasyl Khymynets), in a telephone call to the APA. “It is important that the Chancellor is there in Kyiv and it makes it clear that he is on the side of Ukraine,” Chymynez said. Nehammer’s talks with Zelenskyy are particularly relevant in connection with expectations that Austria will play an active role in the reconstruction of Ukraine. “The federal government and the Austrian economy could get involved here in many areas,” emphasized the diplomat.
Von der Leyen also traveled this route
On Friday, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Foreign Affairs Commissioner Josep Borrell as well as Slovakian Prime Minister Eduard Heger and some EU parliamentarians traveled to Kyiv via the same route.
Diplomatic circles suspect that the fact that Ukraine is currently receiving more and more visitors from the West should also show that the situation in Kyiv, at least, is reasonably calm. This is also intended to curb the exodus of parts of the population. Since the beginning of the war, almost 4.5 million of around 44 million Ukrainians have left their homeland. Around 51,000 refugees have been registered in Austria so far, mostly women with children.
According to military experts, the Russian military leadership may have misjudged its original plan to capture the capital Kyiv. “The resistance of the armed forces and politics was not expected.” Now the Russian forces would be gathered to prepare for a “decisive battle” around the separatist areas in the Donbass.
The President of the EU Commission promised Ukraine the full solidarity of the European Union on Friday in Kyiv. Von der Leyen told Ukrainian President Zelenskyy: “I am here with you in Kyiv today to send a clear signal that the European Union is on your side.” For Ukraine’s desire for rapid EU accession, she encouraged the country – and promised speed.
Fifth sanctions package against Russia possible
As a demonstrative sign, it was agreed, among other things, to reopen the representation of the European Union a good six weeks after the start of the war. In response to the murder of hundreds of civilians in Bucha, von der Leyen proposed a fifth package of sanctions against Russia on Tuesday. Among other things, it contains an import ban on coal from Russia, but also further restrictions on trade with Russia and an extensive entry ban for Russian ships in EU ports.
Austria brakes on gas import ban
For some Member States, the sanctions do not go far enough. Austria, on the other hand, like Germany or Hungary, is putting the brakes on the brakes if a ban on imports of gas from Russia is under consideration. This was also reaffirmed by Nehammer during his trip to Ukraine. “It’s disgusting that we’re dependent on Russian gas, but that’s not a category of political thinking.” A failure of gas supplies would have serious economic and social consequences for Austria. It could lead to social “distortions”. Therefore, it is easiest for those countries within the EU to demand an import ban that are not dependent on Russian gas to the same extent. “They are the loudest.”
Bucha: 7.5 million euros from the EU for investigations
Borrell also announced on Friday that he would make 7.5 million euros available for the investigations that Ukraine is conducting into the alleged war crimes in the Kiev suburb of Bucha and other places – such as Stoyank and Irpin. Russia, which has been waging a war of aggression against its neighbor since February 24, has always denied the allegations without providing concrete evidence.
Shortly before the arrival of the EU delegation in Kyiv, rockets hit the train station in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk on Friday, killing around 50 people who were trying to get to safety because of the war. According to Ukrainian sources, five children were among them. Moscow denied any responsibility. According to an insider, the United States assumes that the attack was carried out by Russia with a short-range ballistic missile.
Source: Nachrichten
