Speech by Wolfgang Sobotka, the President of the National Council of Austria, in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, September 26, 2023
Dear Mr. Chairman!
Dear members of the Verkhovna Rada!
Thank you very much for coming to this special meeting today. Dear members of the Austrian Parliament who are present here today, distinguished guests! It is a great honor for me to be here with you today and to speak to you.
You all know about the long and strong historical ties that bind Austria and Ukraine. Lviv, which my delegation and I visited yesterday, was the capital of the Habsburg Kingdom of Galicia and Volhynia, and Chernivtsi played an important role in the cultural life of that time. The strong historical ties can also be seen at the parliamentary level. More than a hundred years ago, numerous Ukrainian deputies from the crown lands of Galicia and Bukovina were members of the Austrian Parliament, most of them united in the so-called "Ruthenian Club" and playing an important role in Austrian politics at the time. However, the end of the First World War and the collapse of the Habsburg Empire divided our common paths. However, they did not separate us until last summer, when Ukraine officially received the status of an EU candidate, which opened the way to Europe and the European Union.
Mr. Speaker. I remember when you were a guest of the Austrian Parliament last summer, and therefore only a few months after the russian invasion of Ukraine began. You came to Vienna to inform the Austrian parliamentarians about the terrible and difficult situation in your country. More than a year and a half has passed since then, but the war in Ukraine continues.
On February 24 last year, a full-scale and brutal russian aggression began. Since then, your country has been experiencing unimaginable suffering. Since the beginning of the war, Austria's position has been very clear: to condemn russia's illegal, unjustified and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine at all political levels, to condemn the clear violation of international law and to provide full support to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.
Today, 19 months after the outbreak of the war, I can assure you that Austria stands by Ukraine with unconditional and unwavering solidarity. My visit to Ukraine together with the parliamentarians is part of an ongoing exchange with which we would like to express our solidarity. The Federal President of Austria, the Chancellor of Austria and numerous representatives of the Austrian Government and Parliament have also visited and continue to visit Kyiv to express this solidarity. And this solidarity is manifested in the relations between the parliaments of our countries. For example, I personally participated in the Crimean Platform, which was held for the first time last October, at the level of the speakers of the parliaments in the Croatian capital of Zagreb. Mr. Chairman, we will see you again in a month at this year's Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimean Platform in Prague.
In addition, the foreign affairs committees of our parliaments have held virtual meetings on several occasions. The Austrian-Ukrainian bilateral parliamentary group visited Kyiv, Odesa and Mykolaiv. There are also close working contacts at the level of officials.
Dear Mr. Chairman! Dear Members of the Parliament!
Continuing political, financial, economic and humanitarian support for Ukraine is a top priority for Austria. You all know that Austria is militarily neutral, as Mr. Chairman has already mentioned, but we are not politically neutral, and therefore we have taken a very clear and unambiguous position in this war. Austria cannot and will not remain silent when it comes to the violation of international law, the unprovoked war that russia is waging against Ukraine, and the unimaginable suffering that this war is causing. That is why Austria has ensured the adoption of EU military support measures through constructive support, and Austria supports all sanctions packages. And we want to make it clear to third countries that they should not allow these sanctions to be circumvented, for example, by exporting dual-use goods to russia.
In August 1991 the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine proclaimed Ukraine's independence. In December 1991, the people of Ukraine confirmed their desire to be independent with more than 90% of the vote. This unanimous vote cannot be ignored or misinterpreted. We will strongly oppose all attempts to cast doubt on this or distort historical facts. Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence must be restored and guaranteed. No one else but Ukrainians themselves will decide the political future of their country. Ukrainians have made it clear that they see their future in the European community. Austria will continue to support Ukraine on its path to EU membership.
Austria's political support for Ukraine is obvious. But we are also helping your country in all possible ways, as far as our means allow. To date, Austria has already supported the Ukrainian government and the Ukrainian population, which has been particularly hard hit by this war, with financial and humanitarian aid worth more than €152 million. As a responsible contributor to the European Union budget, Austria has also made significant indirect contributions through the European Union, which is the largest donor of humanitarian and financial support to Ukraine. To date, about €59 billion has been provided.
On this occasion, I would like to reiterate that we will continue to provide our humanitarian aid for as long as it is needed. The support comes not only from the Republic of Austria, but also from our states, municipalities, and numerous private and non-governmental organizations. There is also significant support from the private sector, as more than 200 Austrian companies continue to operate in Ukraine. Despite the ongoing war, they are creating local jobs and developing economic potential. But Austria is not only helping in Ukraine, we have also hosted around 100,000 Ukrainian displaced persons who have sought refuge in our country from the horrors of war.
Dear Mr. Chairman! Dear Members of the Parliament!
russia's attack on Ukraine is not only an attack on your country, it is also an attack on the rules-based global order. Therefore, the attack on Ukraine is not limited to our continent. The repeated condemnation of russia by the majority of countries at the UN General Assembly clearly proves this. It has called into question the entire global security architecture.
Thus, in this war, Ukraine is not only defending itself and its existence as an independent state, but also fighting to uphold international law and defend our European values. I also emphasized this during my recent visit to the United States to my interlocutors in the U.S. Congress, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Honorable Speaker Nancy Pelosi and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Today we will visit Irpin and Bucha, two cities that have suffered unimaginable suffering and have become the embodiment and symbol of horrific crimes and violence against civilians, as well as senseless destruction. The incredible suffering unjustifiably inflicted on innocent people is beyond words. Therefore, we believe it is necessary to investigate the countless war crimes and possible crimes against humanity and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Austria supports the Ukrainian Peace Formula, in particular the clause on accountability. International law and human rights must be protected and preserved, and those who violate them must be held accountable.
In addition, Austria participates in the register of damages coordinated by the Council of Europe. Recording all evidence and claims is the first step towards holding russia accountable for its illegal acts of violence against Ukraine.
In addition to the political consequences, russia's invasion of Ukraine is also having a negative impact on global food security, energy security, and supply chain support in various sectors. We can only counter these threats if we stand together. That is why Austria, among other things, supports the EU's solidarity measures and participates in the Grain from Ukraine initiative.
At some point, but unfortunately, we all do not know when, this war will end. Then it will be up to all of us to support Ukraine's recovery. I can assure you that Austria, as a close friend of Ukraine, will be actively involved in this effort.
Mr. Speaker! Dear members of the Verkhovna Rada! Austria will continue to support Ukraine and the Ukrainian people for as long as it takes.
Glory to Ukraine!