Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg defends entry permits for Russian OSCE delegates to Austria. But he wants to tell them something.
Almost a year of war – February 24 marks the anniversary of the beginning of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) decided that Russian delegates should be allowed to attend the meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) in Vienna. And he’s receiving massive criticism and even a request to withdraw this decision. Late on Sunday evening in ZIB2, Schallenberg tried to explain why Russian delegates should now “walk into” Austria, even though they were not welcome at past meetings.
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According to moderator Martin Thür, a 15-strong Russian delegation will take part, in which “practically everyone” is sanctioned. Does that make sense? “Two things have to be distinguished very clearly,” said Schallenberg. On the one hand, there was an agreement with the OSCE and, on the other hand, a clear message for the delegation. According to the Foreign Minister, it is a “must” and must enable all participants to enter Austria. But Schallenberg admitted: The date of the meeting, February 24, which marked the beginning of the aggressive war, was “an unfortunate one.”
“You are completely isolated there”
One shouldn’t forget, however, that platforms are needed for dialogue, and that was also the case during the Cold War, said Schallenberg. “The Russians have to hear that they are completely isolated,” explained the foreign minister, adding that “it has value”. Don’t you fear a propaganda show? This question can be raised in every conversation and every relationship with Russia, said Schallenberg. The difficulty lies in the fact that you have to keep talking, because at some point “diplomacy will be given space once more”.
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The topic is difficult, demanding, but multilateralism is always difficult, according to Schallenberg. However, he will not be excluded on the basis of a lack of rules: “That’s not my choice. I’m not inviting.” But of course you have to make it clear to the Russians: “You are completely isolated there.” But Schallenberg also warned that a distinction should be made between Putin, his system, his henchmen” and “Russia and the Russian citizens”. “We also have to remember that Russia will not disappear,” said the Foreign Minister.