this post was submitted on 28 Jul 2025
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Austria’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger has called for an open discussion on the country’s long-standing neutrality, stating that it no longer guarantees national security in the face of growing geopolitical instability and an increasingly aggressive Russia.

In an interview with Die Welt, Meinl-Reisinger emphasized that neutrality alone does not protect Austria and pointed to the importance of strengthening defense capabilities and deepening international partnerships. “Austria is protected by investment in its own defense capacities and in its partnerships,” she said.

The minister’s remarks follow a proposal by Emil Brix, Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, suggesting that Austria consider joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Meinl-Reisinger expressed support for a public debate on the issue, acknowledging that the current political and public majority remains opposed to NATO membership.

...

Meinl-Reisinger also addressed Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, stating that Ukraine seeks peace, while Russia continues its campaign of aggression. She added that if Russian leader Vladimir Putin were genuinely interested in peace, he would have engaged in ceasefire negotiations.

...

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[–] plyth@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago (23 children)

If you look through the lense of hybrid warfare, it's comparatively small, even for 'here'.

To despise the war itself logically you have to despise other wars and violence in equal proportions, even, or especially if they don't happen here.

I can't tell if you do. The limiting of the scope to here makes me think that you are aware of a broader context that would lead you to a different judgement that you want to avoid.

[–] Quittenbrot@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (22 children)

You try to tell me that the war Russia is waging, which forced them to switch to war economy, which forced them to mobilise, which forced them to recruit foreign fighters and weapons from countries such as North Korea or Iran, which has them deploy several hundred thousand soldiers and which has them experienced a six-figure sum of losses, is "comparatively small"?

Do you really?

[–] plyth@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago (21 children)

With a generous definition of hybrid warfare, yes.

[–] Quittenbrot@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Thanks for this honesty. You choose to be generous towards Russia that currently is busy destroying it's neighbouring country by military force, yet seem to be very upset about Austria wanting to discuss a possible future within NATO. How unmasking! :D

[–] plyth@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

You can't be that oblivious that you interpret it like that.

[–] Quittenbrot@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

You take more offense in Austria considering NATO than in Russia waging war.

[–] plyth@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I take no direct offence. Both are about politics in which I am not directly involved.

The offence is that the media in general uses the Russian aggression to justify the reduction of civil rights. In this case there is no direct benefit so that the empty argument becomes visible.

[–] Quittenbrot@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I take no direct offence

You find excuses/explanations for Russia's actions (war) but don't accept excuses/explanations for Austria's actions (NATO). Strange, isn't it?

The offence is that the media in general uses the Russian aggression to justify the reduction of civil rights.

Which is neither case nor topic here.

In this case there is no direct benefit so that the empty argument becomes visible.

I gave you a clear example for a benefit, hence this point is invalid.

[–] plyth@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

You find excuses/explanations for Russia’s actions (war) but don’t accept excuses/explanations for Austria’s actions (NATO). Strange, isn’t it?

No, because they are on different sides of the conflict. If Nato commits crimes, Germany will be responsible, like we are after WW2. So I have to be dilligent.

For Russia, I have to find their motivation because the propaganda I receive paints them as irrational monsters. They are still the enemy, but dehumanising them supposedly was a mistake, so I look for their rational motives.

Which is neither case nor topic here.

Then better don't go back to my initial comment. The entire point is the wrong justification.

I gave you a clear example for a benefit

Nothing substantial. Ukraine is not part of Nato and already receives the information.

[–] Quittenbrot@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

If Nato commits crimes, Germany will be responsible, like we are after WW2.

Somehow, I have the feeling you don't see it as clear when it comes to Russia's crimes.

For Russia, I have to find their motivation because the propaganda I receive paints them as irrational monsters.

How does finding any "motivation" change your view on them waging a war of aggression? What is there to explain? What to excuse? Does it somehow alleviate them from their responsibility for their crimes?

Also, I have very strong doubts that the propaganda you receive paints Russia as the monsters.

Then better don’t go back to my initial comment. The entire point is the wrong justification..

You said: "The offence is that the media in general uses the Russian aggression to justify the reduction of civil rights." This is neither topic of this article nor of your initial comment. Stop moving the goalposts.

Nothing substantial.

Your personal assessment is irrelevant to the actual substantiality.

Ukraine is not part of Nato and already receives the information.

Ukraine is receiving this data, because it is actively attacked and we won't just stand there and let that happen. Also, given the circumstances, Ukraine is as embedded into NATO as possible and would love to be in NATO any minute. But I guess you're of course strongly opposed to this as well.

[–] plyth@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Somehow, I have the feeling you don’t see it as clear when it comes to Russia’s crimes.

Nobody will blaim me for Russian crimes. I evaluate the countries for different roles.

Does it somehow alleviate them from their responsibility for their crimes?

No

Also, I have very strong doubts that the propaganda you receive paints Russia as the monsters.

The usual stuff does.

You said: “The offence is that the media in general uses the Russian aggression to justify the reduction of civil rights.” This is neither topic of this article nor of your initial comment. Stop moving the goalposts.

This must be Nato pressuring Austria to join, not Austria wanting to join. Why do they want Austria to join?

Where do you think all of this ends?

Nothing substantial.

Your personal assessment is irrelevant to the actual substantiality.

Besides that arguments should be convincing. But you kind of agree:

Ukraine is receiving this data, because it is actively attacked and we won’t just stand there and let that happen.

Guess what, the same will happen with Austria.

[–] Quittenbrot@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Nobody will blaim me for Russian crimes.

Will you blame Russia for its crimes?

The usual stuff does.

And yours? Is your view on NATO or Russia shaped by propaganda?

Where do you think all of this ends?

You stated out of the blue that NATO must be pressuring Austria. No proof, no connection to the article. I consider this a try to derail and to spin.

Besides that arguments should be convincing.

You offer no arguments. You're being disproven and your only answer is "yea, but still no". So it's irrelevant.

Guess what, the same will happen with Austria.

I very much hope the same won't happen to Austria. As it is only happening to Ukraine because we desperately try to save it from Russian destruction despite all the indescribable harm it is suffering since 2022. No country wants this to happen to them, no country will take the risk. This is why Austria wants this discussion. It is beyond me how anyone cannot understand this, although I'm coming to the conclusion that this is less a "can" problem but more a "want" problem.

[–] plyth@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

but more a “want” problem.

Yes, from you. I am not saying that Austria will be attacked by Russia, even though I kind of say it. This feels like an argument with AI.

[–] Quittenbrot@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I am not saying that Austria will be attacked by Russia, even though I kind of say it.

Don't try to make your argument mine. It is only you that tries to narrow this on an attack on Austria in order to disprove the necessity of an Austrian membership. I told you what the actual security gains for Austria can be in NATO and those are irrespective of a Russian attack on Austria. So are we finally done with this idea?

And btw, still curious:

Will you blame Russia for its crimes?

[–] plyth@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

told you what the actual security gains for Austria can be in NATO

No. Where is the gain if Ukraine also has it?

irrespective of a Russian attack on Austria.

There is no other threat for Austria.

Will you blame Russia for its crimes?

They are guilty of their crimes. If I blame them don't I imply that somebody else is guilty but I put the blame on Russia?

[–] Quittenbrot@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Where is the gain if Ukraine also has it?

Ukraine is in the middle of a war. Austria wants these gains before Russia sends hundreds of thousands of troops across the border and massacres villages and bombs cities. Is that really so hard to understand?

There is no other threat for Austria.

I don't oppose that Russia is a threat to Austria. I oppose that the benefit of an Austrian NATO membership comes only in effect in case of a Russian attack on Austria. And I explained to you why.

[–] plyth@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

What's hard for me to understand is that you don't understand that Austria would be fighting that war in Poland and Slovacia.

[–] Quittenbrot@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Again: this isn't about Austria fighting a war. Can you understand that?

It is about gaining security benefits before a war breaks out.

[–] plyth@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

No, I don't understand. The security benefits are for that one specific war. It's the same.

[–] Quittenbrot@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

The security benefits come into effect without/before Russia actually attacking.

[–] plyth@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

So does the war before attacking Austria.

It's essentially the same.

[–] Quittenbrot@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

It is not. The benefits come into effect even before the war itself.

[–] plyth@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

That doesn't matter strategically.

[–] Quittenbrot@feddit.org 1 points 11 hours ago

That doesn’t matter strategically.

Why wouldn't it?

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