Of course, conversation channels must remain open. But while Austria’s chancellor is talking to Putin, Moscow’s military is planning a devastating offensive.
Vladimir Putin and his followers know how to make tough propaganda. For years, the Kremlin has also spread its messages in the West through channels such as Russia Today and Sputnik – with highly questionable journalistic methods, but with great success. And the Russian population is now exposed to an even more intense staccato of propaganda in the Ukraine war than ever before: Russians must believe that the so-called special military operation in Ukraine is a “vital” fight against dangerous neo-Nazis; that the mission was going according to plan and victory would propel Russia to new heights.
At the same time, Putin wants to persuade his people that the West’s blockade of the country is cracking – and that EU states in particular are showing weakness. In drawing this image, Putin received help from Austria on Monday. In particular, Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer.
Western politicians have avoided direct meetings with the Kremlin chief since he gave the order to invade Ukraine. Nehammer was the first to break the ice. Nehammer’s team appears to be aware that his visit to Moscow could be misused for propaganda purposes. This is probably why an attempt was made to avoid joint photos with Putin. It remains to be seen whether that was enough.