As part of the Ukrainian army mission, around 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers will be trained in Germany, Poland and other EU countries. Austria participates financially but not militarily. The EU training mission will be operational in a few weeks, said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. Several countries would participate.
“Turning Point in War”
Borrell called the withdrawal of the Russian army from Kherson “a turning point in the war”. When asked about the peace talks, Borrell said: “Ukraine will decide what to do. Our job is to support them.” Foreign ministers would discuss extending additional military aid.
The new EU sanctions against Iran target those responsible for the crackdown. “The Iranian regime must be very aware that the world is looking at them,” Schallenberg said. Austria is where Iran’s nuclear talks are taking place. Tehran’s treatment of its own people is “a sign of poverty” and “unacceptable”.
“The window is currently closed” on Iran’s nuclear talks, which is mainly due to Tehran, which included “unrelated issues”. But Schallenberg stressed: “Even a bad deal is better than none, because the alternative is a nuclear arms race in the Gulf region.”
Regarding further negotiations with Russia, Schallenberg stressed that geography and history would not change. “Certainly there can be no cancel culture towards Russia. But it is also clear that there is no return to the status quo ante.” In particular, there must be no impunity for atrocities. “We’re talking war crimes here. We’re talking crimes against humanity. They need to be resolved.” Austria supports the International Commission of Inquiry of the Human Rights Council as well as the International Criminal Court.
“This is not the time” for peace talks
When asked about the peace talks, Schallenberg said, “I don’t think the time is right now,” but he wanted to leave the door open for that. Ultimately, the decision will be made in Kyiv and Moscow.
Ahead of a meeting between EU foreign ministers and Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tichanovskaya, Schallenberg did not rule out further sanctions against Belarus. But one gets the impression that Minsk is trying to show some independence from Russia.
Foreign ministers will also discuss recent tensions between Serbia and Kosovo and the situation in the Western Balkans, as well as the situation in the African Great Lakes region, particularly the situation in eastern Congo and the contested Kivu region, rich in Mineral Resources.