"The absolute majority of this house does indeed stand behind Ukraine," said Green National Council member David Stögmüller on Thursday at a press conference in Vienna. The FPÖ was also invited to the so-called Ukraine Roundtable but did not participate.

Austria Can Help Ukraine More in the Medical Field and in Demining

The representatives of the other four parliamentary parties emphasized that Austria could do even more for Ukraine. The idea of the roundtable, which includes "diplomacy, administration, and civil society," is that together more can be achieved, explained SPÖ National Council member Petra Bayr. The Ukrainian ambassador, Wassyl Chymynez, thanked Austria for its help so far. For his country, he demanded a just peace and not just a ceasefire, as this would not prevent Russian President Vladimir Putin from continuing the attack.

There is much to be done for Austria, said Bayr. While the accounts of 49 sanctioned individuals from Russia have been frozen, only nine properties have been. She also demanded that the foreign disaster fund be adequately equipped. Austria could help more in the medical field. In the areas of psychological care for war victims and disarmament, Austria has competencies that it could use more for Ukraine, said Stögmüller.

Bayr, Stögmüller, and MEP Helmut Brandstätter (NEOS) added that Austria could also help with demining. One million hectares of land are mined in Ukraine, reported Bayr. There are also mines in front of kindergartens or hospitals, said Stögmüller. "A demining mission away from the front is clearly within our constitutional framework." Many innocents would be protected from mutilation or death. Chymynez also mentioned an initiative to build protective bunkers under kindergartens and schools, in which Austria could participate.

Economic Mission Planned in Ukraine

Andreas Minnich (ÖVP) explained that Austria has provided 300 million euros in financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Under the Peace Facility, 500 million euros are available for Austrian companies to become active in Ukraine. A large Austrian business delegation will soon travel to Ukraine for the first time, announced Cornelius Granig, the president of the association "All for Ukraine - Help for Ukraine". The reconstruction in Ukraine will be "a very large market" and a win-win situation. Ambassador Chymynez also hopes for Austrian support in the reconstruction and for the return of many displaced Ukrainians. Because they are needed in Ukraine - and still keep "a large piece of Austria in their hearts".

Brandstätter stated that Austria also "needs to improve in job placement" for the often well-educated Ukrainian men and women. This was also confirmed by refugee coordinator Andreas Achrainer. The hurdles to entering the Austrian labor market are high for many of the current 78,000 Ukrainian refugees in Austria. The recognition of a qualification is lengthy and expensive due to high translation costs. 37,000 Ukrainians are in basic care, 16,000 are housed in organized accommodations. Low additional income limits and lack of transition periods in case of loss of accommodation are further hurdles.

Refugee Wave Not to Be Ruled Out in Case of "Dictated Peace"

The journalists' question of whether he expects a new wave of refugees in the event of a peace imposed on Ukraine is answered by Achrainer as follows: People flee when they fear for their lives and the lives of their children. In the case of a "rotten peace", a movement of flight is "not to be ruled out".

Europe must not accept a "dictated peace by a murderous autocrat", said Stögmüller. It is crucial not to exclude Ukraine and Europe from peace negotiations, emphasized Minnich and Bayr. In view of the pro-Russian statements of US President Donald Trump, Brandstätter said: Trump is destroying the transatlantic cohesion that has worked since 1945. Europe must appear stronger and more united and do more for its own defense, the politicians agreed. They also did not rule out participation in a possible peace mission in Ukraine - depending on the design of the mandate.

"Now it is about making the third anniversary the last anniversary," demanded Chymynez. With joint efforts, pressure must be exerted on Putin to end this "illegal and genocidal war. Together we can prevail," the diplomat was convinced.

(APA/red)

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