In the EU main committee of the National Council, Stocker signaled openness before the EU special summit on Thursday regarding the increase in EU spending in the defense sector. "However, we reject new debt," he emphasized in the presence of European Minister Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP) and Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS).

Stocker committed to the goal of strengthening European defense capabilities. "Austria generally supports the initiatives, of course always based on constitutional framework conditions," he said, referring to neutrality. Austria is "open" to the flexibilization of EU funds through a change in earmarking, but not to additional debt, Stocker stated. The 150 billion euros proposed by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are not debts, but guarantees, he clarified in response to a corresponding question.

"Never Politically Neutral"

"Austria is militarily neutral, but will never be politically neutral," emphasized European Minister Plakolm. "Austria will ensure that Europe does not become a pawn of global powers, but confidently takes its place in the world," she said. The decisions at the EU special summit on Thursday will play "a central role" in this regard. Both Plakolm and Stocker expressed confidence that the planned conclusions will be adopted despite the announced resistance from Hungary. At several EU summits, it had already "looked as if an agreement would not be possible," Stocker said. But "usually a solution was found."

Meinl-Reisinger reaffirmed support for Ukraine and strongly criticized the course of US President Donald Trump. What happened on Friday in the Oval Office was a "burden on transatlantic relations." At the same time, she welcomed the planned strengthening of EU defense capabilities. "We have learned that we cannot outsource security to Washington, just as little as energy supply to Russia and supply chains to Beijing," the NEOS leader advocated for more European independence.

Stocker Welcomed Trump's Efforts

Stocker welcomed Trump's efforts for peace in Ukraine. "But we must be careful not to pursue short-term goals at the expense of long-term stability," he reiterated the demand for a "comprehensive, just, and lasting peace." As a lawyer, he also knows that successful negotiations require the involvement of all key players. "There must be no negotiations about Europe's security without the European Union," he emphasized.

Meinl-Reisinger emphasized that the struggle for a ceasefire in Ukraine also concerns security in Austria. "It is in our interest that we do not have a dictated peace in Ukraine, which only gives Putin time to regroup his troops," she demanded a peace agreement with security guarantees.

FPÖ Motion Rejected

In the following debate, the well-known positions of the parliamentary parties were evident. FPÖ representative Susanne Fürst criticized that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was "further along" in the matter of a peace settlement than EU policy, as he indicated "that a solution to this issue should not take place on the battlefield, but at the negotiating table." She submitted a motion that would have obliged Stocker not to agree to any conclusions at the EU summit that foresee further military aid worth billions for Ukraine. The motion was rejected with the votes of the four other parties.

Fürst received sharp criticism for her statement, including from ÖVP representative Wolfgang Gerstl. He complained that the representative of the largest parliamentary party did not name Russia as the aggressor. Meinl-Reisinger also harshly criticized Fürst in her closing statement, accusing her of having an "almost negligent attitude towards the security of Austrians." It was "almost grotesque" to say that any military automatically means a commitment to war.

Kogler Stood Out

For the first time in five years, former Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) spoke again from the parliamentary rather than the government bench. He was the only speaker to express clear support for the defense package worth 800 billion euros presented by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. "I think it's all smart," he said. Countries like Russia would indeed "reach into the defense policy coffers with a bang," he said. Therefore, the EU must also "go to the wardrobe and bring out the best piece." If Europe does not regain its strength, the EU "will not exist at all in ten, twenty years," warned the Green Party leader.

SPÖ representative Petra Bayr expressed concern about US policy. She expressed the expectation that "the transatlantic relations will have to be very flexibly redesigned." US President Trump would indeed "pose some challenges to Europe." Her colleague Peter Laimer insisted that Europe be involved in the Ukraine negotiations. "Those who are not at the negotiating table are on the menu," he quoted a well-known political saying.

"These may even be the decisive days, weeks, and months for our generation," said NEOS representative Douglas Hoyos. He quoted recent statements by military expert Gustav Gressel to the APA, according to which the probability of a Russian attack on an EU state in 2026 is 80 percent. Now it is about "arming ourselves," said the defense spokesperson of the smallest governing party.

(APA/Red)

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