Austria defies NATO pressure, maintains neutrality

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
23 Feb 20:42
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Amid rising global tension, Austria considers itself a bridge between the West and the East.

The Austrian flag flutters next to the EU’s flag. (AFP)

When countries such as Switzerland and Sweden abandoned their neutrality policies under NATO's pressure, one country refused to bend.

Austria has recently become the center of a heated debate about its neutrality, with detractors suggesting that it should send military supplies to Ukraine. Earlier this month, an open letter inked by Austrian politician and First Vice-President of the European Parliament Othmar Karas urged for a shift in Austria's security strategy.

Austrians have always regarded neutrality as part of their identity and wish to remain as disconnected from global politics as possible. It is worth noting that the current Chancellor, Karl Nehammer, was the first and only European to visit Moscow following the start of the war, and Austria's President, Alexander van der Bellen, has also visited Kiev.

Maintaining communication connections with all sides is consistent with Vienna's overall foreign policy strategy.

With the war entering its second year, there is mounting international pressure to show stronger support for Ukraine and take a harsher position against Russia.

All of this points to wider unresolved issues among NATO member states, which must contend with the fact that some states, such as Austria, do not perceive the Union as a cohesive geopolitical actor.