Austria is not alone in voicing caution about Russia’s natural gas embargo. Germany, Hungary, and several other EU member states have expressed similar reservations, a stance highlighted by Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer on a recent Wednesday in mid-April.
Austria’s position mirrors a broader EU sentiment. While opposing the gas embargo in practice, Austria and other EU countries remain committed to the sanctions regime targeting Russia. The aim is to apply pressure on Moscow without inflicting excessive harm on European economies, a balance Nehammer described in discussions with international media. He noted that the sanctions should impact Russia more than the European Union itself, reflecting a careful approach to escalation.
Nehammer emphasized that the EU plans to broaden restrictions on the Russian Federation, yet the measures will be calibrated to avoid unnecessary harm to EU members. This includes careful consideration of any potential embargo on Russian oil and gas supplies, a topic that remains contentious within European policy circles. He acknowledged that phasing out Russian gas cannot happen overnight and will require time for a measured transition.
The EU has signaled a determination to reduce dependence on Russian energy, with Austria aligned with this broader objective. Still, officials acknowledge that achieving full energy independence is a long-term project that necessitates strategic planning and phased implementation.
neutral status of austria
Nehammer also recalled that military neutrality is a cornerstone of Austrian history. He argued that the question of abandoning neutrality at this juncture would not be prudent or advisable given the current geopolitical climate.
On April 11, discussions took place in Novo-Ogarevo between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Austrian Chancellor. This meeting marked the first direct conversation between the leaders of the two nations since Nehammer assumed office at the end of 2021. It also represented the first such dialogue with a European Union member state leader since the outset of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine.
International responses to the unfolding crisis have included sanctions from the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and other partners. In a recent briefing, British Foreign Secretary outlined that a significant portion of Russia’s gold and foreign exchange reserves had been frozen, underscoring the breadth of financial measures aimed at Moscow.
The fifth EU package of restrictive measures against the Russian Federation includes a ban on coal imports, the closing of certain ports to Russian-flagged vessels, and tighter participation limits for Russian companies in EU public procurement. The package also expands blacklists and imposes new restrictions on the transportation of cargo by vehicles registered in Russia or Belarus.
Meanwhile, the United States has extended sanctions to additional Russian banks and instituted a ban on new investments in the Russian economy. The measures also target members of President Putin’s family and close associates of the Russian Foreign Minister, reflecting a broad strategy to isolate Moscow economically.
Public opinion in Russia has shown notable concern about Western sanctions. Surveys conducted in March indicated that roughly half of Russians express worry about the impact of sanctions, and a sizable majority believe these measures affect the general population. A similar share indicates that sanctions have already created difficulties for some households and families, signaling the domestic socio-economic dimension of international policy actions.