Aug 28, 10:28 AM

Russia Warns Austria Against NATO Bid, Threatens Retaliation

Russia warned on Thursday that it would take unspecified “retaliatory measures” if Austria sought to abandon its long-standing neutrality and apply for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The threat was delivered by Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, who accused Europe of being “drunk on militarism” and said Moscow reserved the right to “veto” Vienna’s shift toward the alliance. Medvedev added that any Austrian move to join NATO could prompt Russia to demand the relocation of several international organisations headquartered in Vienna, including UN offices, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. He argued that Austria’s neutrality had been a key factor in hosting those bodies and that surrendering that status would undermine their presence. The remarks heighten tensions between Moscow and European capitals as debates over security alignments continue. Austria, which wrote neutrality into its constitution in 1955, has not formally signalled an intention to apply for NATO membership, but pro-alliance voices in Vienna have grown louder since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Vienna has not yet responded publicly to Medvedev’s comments.

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Written with ChatGPT .

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Russia Warns Austria Against NATO Bid, Threatens Retaliation

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