Austria is ready to provide proper mediation for meetings with the Russian side and assist in returning Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared this following his meeting with President of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen.
The Head of State expressed gratitude for Austria’s support for Ukraine, its sovereignty, and its people. He emphasized that his official visit to Austria together with the First Lady reflects not only political ties but also the warm and humane relations between the two countries.
On behalf of all Ukrainians, Volodymyr Zelenskyy extended condolences to the Austrian people over the tragedy in Graz.
“Nowhere and never should parents lose their children, and the pain from such a loss is something even time cannot heal. And when we speak of this, we genuinely understand what it means,” he said.
During the meeting, the Presidents of Ukraine and Austria discussed the need for strong and tangible pressure on Russia to compel Moscow to end the war and stop the killing.
“Of course, we also discussed the necessity of supporting all joint efforts for the sake of peace. We appreciate Austria’s readiness to provide dignified mediation for meetings with the Russian side,” the President noted.
Alexander Van der Bellen stressed that while Austria is militarily neutral, it is not politically neutral, and reaffirmed support for Ukraine.
“Russia is clearly the aggressor. And once again, I call on the decision-makers in the Kremlin to end this illegal war and begin serious, honest negotiations,” he said.
A significant part of the visit by the President of Ukraine and the First Lady was dedicated to Ukrainian children and the Ukrainian community in Austria, as well as Austria’s potential mediating efforts to return Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. This issue was one of the key topics of the meeting.
In addition, the discussion focused on the participation of Austrian companies in the reconstruction of Ukraine and Austria's support in addressing the matter of former Ukrainian officials and oligarchs who are evading Ukrainian justice in Europe, particularly in Austria.
Today, Ukraine and Austria signed five documents in the fields of security, the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, agriculture, regional cooperation, and reconstruction.
Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha and Austria’s Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger signed a Declaration of Intent on political cooperation and cooperation in Ukraine’s reconstruction, a Joint Communiqué on security and the return of Ukrainian children unlawfully taken to Russia.
Ukraine’s Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Vitalii Koval and Austria’s Federal Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management Norbert Totschnig signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in agriculture.
Head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration Oleh Kiper and Governor of Upper Austria Thomas Stelzer signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Odesa Regional Military Administration and Upper Austria, providing for cooperation in various fields with a particular focus on rebuilding the Odesa region.
Head of the Office of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities under the President of Ukraine Liliia Pashynna and President of the Association of Austrian Municipalities Johannes Pressl signed a Memorandum of Understanding on developing interregional and municipal cooperation.
