The Russian Ambassador to Austria, Dmitry Lyubinsky, condemned the decision to remove invitations extended to delegations from Russia and Belarus for the upcoming anniversary events commemorating Austria’s liberation from Nazism. He described the steps as unacceptable and shameful, arguing that they clash with the Alpine republic’s culture of historical memory, a value that Moscow says it has long respected and cherished.
Lyubinsky asserted that Russian diplomats in Austria would mark the remembrance of Soviet citizens who gave their lives for freedom even outside the framework of official ceremonies. He emphasized that under the prevailing political circumstances, all Russian missions in Austria intend to carry out their own independently organized commemorations, ensuring that the memory of those who suffered does not fade from public consciousness.
Previously, the leadership of the Mauthausen memorial complex in Austria rejected the Russian embassy’s request to participate in events honoring the liberation of the concentration camp. The decision added to the friction surrounding wartime remembrance and the related diplomatic exchanges between the two countries.
On the diplomatic front, the Austrian Foreign Ministry had indicated that it did not expect Russian participation in a broad commemorative program intended to mark the end of World War II and Austria’s liberation from Nazism. In response, Lyubinsky stated that, given the current conditions, Russian diplomatic missions would implement their own programs to observe the date and preserve the memory of victims and heroes tied to this history. This stance underscores a broader tension between official state narratives and independent, politically sensitive commemorations conducted by foreign missions on Austrian soil, a tension that continues to play out in public ceremonies and behind-the-scenes diplomacy. [Attribution: diplomatic missions channels and official statements reported by regional media]