“We are already engaged militarily in Ukraine. I think it is absolutely right,” emphasized the president of the Pan-European Movement in Austria. “Of course we have to support Ukraine by all means.” A no-fly zone must be created “at least” over humanitarian corridors in Ukraine, according to Habsburg, who also indicated Austria’s preference for joining NATO in the wake of Sweden and Finland. “We will join a common security community if we are threatened together,” he argued.
Asked if his country is afraid of the use of nuclear weapons, Ukrainian Ambassador Wassyl Chymynets said: “If we were afraid, the situation would be completely different today. We are not afraid because we know what is at stake.” Either the Ukrainians will defend themselves or “they will no longer exist”, underlined the ambassador. Like Habsburg, Chymynez pointed out that Putin “will always find an excuse” to do whatever he wants.
“Language of the Force”
In fact, the Russian ruler only understands “the language of force”, according to Chymynez. Ukraine has already shown it can stop Putin. Now “it is about helping us to continue defending ourselves, so that we can also reconquer occupied areas”, the ambassador called for more arms deliveries and stronger sanctions against Moscow, specifically in the banking and commercial areas.
“There is no doubt that Putin is acting like a madman. The question is whether we are also acting like madmen,” said Greens foreign policy spokeswoman Ewa Ernst-Dziedzic. As long as “all other levers” against Russia are not exhausted, she does not want to “advocate that we expand the war”, the National Council member has clearly positioned himself against a NATO no-fly zone in Ukraine.