Austria ready to host peace negotiations on Ukraine – Ambassador
Photo: Austria is ready to host peace negotiations on Ukraine (Getty Images)
Vienna is always ready to host future peace negotiations regarding Ukraine, as Austria has extensive experience in organizing such events, says Austrian Ambassador to Ukraine, Arad Benkö, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
"Austria, as a neutral country, has offered its good services as a host of negotiations between parties involved. It's important to point out that Austria is also a seat of 52 international organizations including 18 UN organizations," he said.
According to him, Ukraine and the EU must be involved in the negotiations alongside the Americans and Russians.
The Ambassador recalled that in mid-December last year, then-Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where they discussed strengthening joint efforts to achieve a full, just, and lasting peace.
"Chancellor Nehammer emphasized that as the capital of a neutral country, Vienna is always ready to host future peace talks. We had a summit between Brezhnev and Carter in 1979 and Kennedy and Krushchev in 1961," he noted.
He further stated that Austria, as home to numerous international organizations, conducts foreign policy that promotes dialogue and responsibility. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which oversees nuclear energy issues, is headquartered in Austria.
"There are more organizations in Vienna dealing with that issue like the EU´s energy community. So energy is one issue amongst many that could be discussed," the Ambassador added.
Benkö stressed that Europeans must have a seat at the negotiation table - "not only because we are the biggest donors but because Ukraine is a European country fighting for our values and freedom."
Background
On February 18, a meeting between representatives from Washington and Moscow took place in Riyadh regarding the war against Ukraine. Ukraine has already stated that it will not accept any negotiation outcomes without its participation. The EU has also insisted on being included in the talks.
