- Category
- Latest news
“Neutrality Won’t Save Us”: Austria Reconsiders NATO Membership Amid Rising Russian Threat
- Authors
![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Austria’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger has called for an open discussion on the country’s long-standing neutrality, stating that it no longer guarantees national security in the face of growing geopolitical instability and an increasingly aggressive Russia.
In an interview with Die Welt, Meinl-Reisinger emphasized that neutrality alone does not protect Austria and pointed to the importance of strengthening defense capabilities and deepening international partnerships. “Austria is protected by investment in its own defense capacities and in its partnerships,” she said.
The minister’s remarks follow a proposal by Emil Brix, Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, suggesting that Austria consider joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Meinl-Reisinger expressed support for a public debate on the issue, acknowledging that the current political and public majority remains opposed to NATO membership.
She stressed that while she is not advocating immediate accession, it would be unrealistic to assume that neutrality shields Austria from modern threats. “We cannot simply sit back and say that as long as we harm no one, no one will harm us. That would be naïve. The world has changed,” she noted.
According to the minister, Austria has already moved away from a strict interpretation of neutrality since joining the European Union in 1995. The country contributes to European security through participation in EU-led peacekeeping missions and support for the bloc’s common security and defense policy.
Meinl-Reisinger also addressed Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, stating that Ukraine seeks peace, while Russia continues its campaign of aggression. She added that if Russian leader Vladimir Putin were genuinely interested in peace, he would have engaged in ceasefire negotiations.
Referring to US President Donald Trump’s stance, she said: “Trump handed Putin Crimea and several eastern regions on a silver platter, and even ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine. And what does Putin do? He continues his war of destruction.”
Austria’s neutrality was enshrined in a 1955 parliamentary declaration, following the end of Allied occupation and the signing of the Austrian State Treaty. It prohibits joining military alliances or hosting foreign military bases.
While the principle has become a key part of Austria’s national identity, recent developments—such as Sweden and Finland ending their neutrality to join NATO—have prompted renewed discussions across Europe about the role of neutrality in the current security environment.
Earlier, Finnish President Alexander Stubb called Vladimir Putin “a strategic fool and a military failure,” blaming Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for doubling NATO’s border and accelerating Europe’s militarization.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Stubb warned that Russia is becoming a vassal state to China and said Finland’s NATO membership was essential: “Being outside of NATO would be like being naked, outdoors, in minus 20 degrees.”
-9220540186162ee79463169b5478a8d5.jpg "Soldiers of Ukraine’s 40th Coastal Defense Brigade prepare a SHARK UAV for a mission in Kherson region, January 2025. (Source: Getty Images)")