Van der Bellen on war in Ukraine: Austria's neutrality does not mean that country will stand aside

"The lives of all people in Ukraine have been completely different for almost a year after February 24. This terrible war, launched on the order of Putin, has changed everything. For you, all people in Ukraine, a terrible war is going on in a place that was once a safe home." Van der Bellen said at a joint press conference with the President of Ukraine in Kyiv on Wednesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The Ukrainian people are now fighting not only for their freedom but also for "our freedom" and "our common European values".

He added that he and the Austrian delegation visited Buch and Borodianka today. "What I saw struck me very much. The suffering and destruction, the injustice and cruelty of the war are particularly tangible there. We know such pictures from books and films, for example, about World War II, but now it is happening again," he said.

The President of Austria noted that he had never been silent about Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and spoke about it during his public speeches. Separately, he indicated his "personal disappointment with President Putin": "I did not consider possible what happened on February 24 in the center of Europe."

According to him, Russia's military goals are to make Ukraine its province.

He emphasized that neutral Austria cannot simply watch the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.

"It was important for me to come to Ukraine right after the start of my second term and assure you, Mr. President, and all Ukrainians of our solidarity. The Ukrainian people fight every day in unimaginable conditions resolutely for their freedom. But they defend also our freedom, our common European values – freedom and democracy. And so this war concerns all of us to some extent," he said.

Van der Bellen noted that Austria's neutrality does not mean that the country will stand aside and indifferently observe Russia's attack on Ukraine.

"Austria is a neutral country. But military neutrality does not mean that values are neutral. When one country in Europe attacks another, we will never remain indifferent. When the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of one state are attacked, we will never remain silent. And that's why today I want to clearly state that we, Austrians, stand resolutely in solidarity with Ukraine," he said.

He also assured that Austria will continue to provide Ukraine with humanitarian aid, and also pledged support for Ukraine's European perspective and assistance in the process of necessary reforms.

As reported, President of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday.