Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) has criticized the government's decision to provide winter aid to Kyiv, despite 256 Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure since the start. Earlier, the Austrian government allocated €3 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, OTS reports.
There are no signs that Russia intends to end its aggression, as fighting on the front lines continues alongside ongoing drone and missile strikes.
Meanwhile, analysts note that Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure pursue not only military but also political objectives, aimed at triggering a new wave of forced migration to European countries.
FPÖ: Ukraine is "bottomless pit"
FPÖ Secretary General and National Council member Michael Schnedlitz has described Ukraine as a “bottomless pit” into which, he says, the “failed governing coalition of the ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS is carelessly pouring billions.”
“All payments to Ukraine must be stopped. Not another euro should flow,” Schnedlitz says.
The far-right party also calls for the resignation of Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger. At the same time, FPÖ currently holds the highest level of voter support in Austria, around 36 percent, according to opinion polls, per UkrInform.
“A humanitarian obligation”: Austria’s foreign minister responds
Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger has publicly responded to far-right criticism, stating in a post on X that assisting Ukraine is Austria’s humanitarian obligation.
“When did complete moral degradation become a political concept?” Meinl-Reisinger writes.
Right now, she adds, millions of people in Ukraine are without electricity and heating in temperatures well below zero.
"Of course, Austria, in line with its long-standing tradition, helps people in need, especially in our immediate neighborhood, within our means and within the limits of the budget," she stated.
She also emphasizes that supporting Ukraine is crucial to preventing migration crises.
“Anyone who genuinely wants to fight migration effectively must also address the causes that force people to flee,” the foreign minister says.
Earlier, Meinl-Reisinger said that any peace in Ukraine can only be viable if it ensures the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and capacity for self-defense.
