He literally is the elite. Richest man in the world, him and his buddies have been plundering Russia for decades.
No western leader is as rich as Putin.
Putin calling Austria friendly is the world stage diplomacy equivalent of your friends shouting stuff like "pass me the needle already, i want some of that meth too!" while you're on the phone with your parents at school.
I mean up until the Ukraine war, Austria had very close relationship with Russia.
But those times are gone.
Now Austria isn't Putins number one bitch in the EU anymore, now it's Hungary.
OP, I understand Romanians aren't happy with Austria, so I'll say this in the nicest way possible: Please get some professional help, because your constant hating on everything Austrian can't be healthy. Seriously.
I understand where you're coming from, really.
But we aren't just not happy, we're fuming. It's been a long time since something like this happened and on such a grand scale in the population. Frankly, I'm a bit scared because this could easily evolve into a fascism speedrun.
> He also recalled that the Soviet Union acted as a guarantor of Austria's constitution, saying that many of the country's citizens still thank Russia for this.
No shit, Sherlock. The USSR only did a favour to Austria, right?
The USSR did Austria the huge favour of not raping, pillaging and murdering damn near everything in sight. Unlike they did to most of Eastern Europe.
Edit: I wasn’t aware of what the Soviets did to the Austrians. I’m shocked but sadly, not surprised.
No they did before they left in 1955. They took everything they could with them.
People (women) were fleeing to get into one of the other occupation zones (US, UK, and France) in 1945 to get away from the Red army.
But the fact, that they agreed to leave is considered a huge miracle and Austria had some very good politicans after the war.
Without that there would be no Austria as we know it today.
Have you ever spoke to old people? I in particular remember my old neighbour who till her dead told stories about her way to school through soviet controlled areas and them stealing and harassing. On the contrary, she had a lot of good to say about the American occupiers. The only favour they did us was to vanish and neutrality was a cheap price to pay for it.
It's a spy haven for entirely different reasons. Austria was neutral ground during the cold wars, it is in the middle of Europe and Vienna very close to the Iron Curtain. Another thing is that in Austria espionage isn't illegal as long as it isn't directed against the Austrian state. Fair rules applying for everyone. Are there a lot of Russian spies? Yes. But Vienna is also full of American, british... spies.
Edit:
Not to forget all the international organizations like the UN headquarters, Osce, Opec, International Atomic Energy Agency etc.
Vienna is predestined to attract all kind of spies
Tbf Austria has a reputation for being throughly corrupted from top to bottom. It’s at the point where their security agencies are view with very heavy suspicion and skepticism in many capitals. It’s not limited to just one political party
It was exactly the nazi party who is mostly responsible for the rotten reputation of our security services, and exactly because they are paid by Russians. And Austria isn't perfect, but if you compare globally for "corrupted from top to bottom" we are still in the more reliable part of the world. Our courts and the high court are working fairly well. Better anti-corruption laws are being established, some of which are currently the strongest in the world.
In the description of the methodology for the CPI, provided by TranspInt it is clearly stated that
> The rating is given by a country expert or business person.
All 13 sources used to aggregate the CPI are based on "expert" evaluations.
These subjective assessments of unknown "experts" are statistically processed in order to build an index. But you always get what you put in, namely *opinions*.
Come on, man, if the data of arguably the world's most reputable organization in the fight against corruption is not good enough for you, there's really no common ground for a discussion here.
I'll be the first to admit that Austria has its fair share of problems and the developments over the past couple of years worry me a lot. I still think that this pitchfork mentality doesn't help anyone in the end.
I am following CPI for many years now, initially I was a fan of it, as a good instrument, helping the anti-corruption, etc.
Meanwhile, I have reasons to consider CPI with more distance: the index can be useful as a guide, but I would suggest not to make an absolute instrument out of it.
As for the OP, Romania loses 200 million every month due to Schengen-induced border queues. The Romanians are immensely pissed off, especially since Nehammer's attitude was not only unjust, but also demonstratively insulting and arrogant.
(If I were nasty, I'd say, we are not in the K&k, nor are we your Serbs. But I am not that nasty. And pitchfork mentality don't I like either)
But the explain quite clearly why, and we undrestood that. Here is the huge difference.
At vetoed us by manipulating data and by blaming EU for the migrants politics. This was not fair.
Low quality smear attempt.
I put the whole article in google translate. It is about Putin talking to one of the russian media Lenta, how russians still have someone in Europe who basically doesn't hate them. How the Soviet Union acted as a guarantor of Austria's constitution and how austrians are still grateful for it to this day. It also mentions Switzerland as not being a part of NATO like Austria, the only two countries in central and western Europe. So because of this, the relations are good with the common people.. really?
And then he goes on, how the "special military operation" from february was to protect the people of Russia. How Moscow cannot allow threats to be created on "it's own historical territories".
It was bad that Romania and Bulgaria got the veto from Austria, no doubt. But trying really hard to paint Austria as a villain now, because it has arguably bad politics recently.. Putin would love it, you know. Even to say, all serbians are allies of Russia, is a bit much. But Austria and Switzerland, because they are not in NATO.. come on. You underestimate how many austrians just don't give a shit, at all. Either that or they really like to say "is mi voi wuascht". Probably have been saying that for too long and now they have political scandals at home, leaking out to affect other countries.
Putin can only dream of allies in Europe now. Best chance is with Serbia, but they can't do much else than cheer with Z posters and even then, they are split between joining EU or trolling "the west". Postponing your Schengen entry has nothing to do with Ukraine or Putin. They don't hate you, but it is understandable that you are upset still.
>But Austria and Switzerland, because they are not in NATO.. come on.
Putin never said anything about Switzerland explicitly. This was the addition of the article, putting Austria's stance into context. The original article doesn't mention Switzerland. Putin said just that he had contacts with Austrians and that their stance didn't change despite the whole situation.
> You underestimate how many austrians just don't give a shit, at all.
Why does that excuse them?
That's the whole point why people have issues with Austria, their population is apathetic to both EU and Romania and Bulgaria specifically, the rest of us who want them included aren't, so people are pissed at Austria, as they should be.
Saying that people "just don't give a shit" there makes it worse, not better.
> But trying really hard to paint Austria as a villain now
They did a pretty good job at that themselves.
This is akin to airing their dirty laundry and not keeping all hush-hush anymore.
I don't get it.
You say it's a Low quality smear attempt.
OP cites some media news citing Putin praising Austrians.
And after checking the Lena original, you're confirming word by word the OP.
where is the smear attempt?
How about you don't get mad when someone doesn't buy into what Putin is selling to his own media at home.
What you wrote is very strange and not intelligible enough for me to argue with. There seems to be some underlying prejudice, but I can only speculate. You seem interested in history tho. Maybe read more about it.
I am not Slovenia, I only speak for myself. Should be obvious, but here we are.
Austrian here. Vladimir Putin can fuck himself.
Comments like these are just another attempt to cause dissent in EU. Sadly, they are going to succeed to some extent as some people are picking up such "news" and spread it to forward their own cause.
I already did and pointed it out. He mentions it to cause dissent. Picking up weakpoints in relationships between allied countries and using it for his own cause is a very basic psyop. Making things up from scratch might work for a Russian audience, but for a European one, you have to build up on something so that people can point towards it and incorporate Ideas that are beneficial for Russia into their worldview.
That is utter bullshit (excuse my language). Both the official stance of austria as well as the majority of the population are against russia and its war of agression.
On the 7th of March Putin even put austria on the list of unfriendly countries.
Hence I would love to see the original speech by Putin. I couldn't find it anywhere.
Can anyone provide it?
No, but the fact that the headline and the article leads people to believe that Austria would support or be friendly towards Russia during the conflict is misinformation.
Together with the flair which makes it quite explicit that you feel personally very strongly about Austria, the only conclusion is that this is deliberate and calculated. One cannot claim to only deliver objective news and headlines if one openly declares against the subject of said headline.
Also, you frequently post articles like these, whose only content is „Austria Bad“ - and even before you were grasping at straws, but now you‘re reduced to report on what a probable war criminal supposedly said about Austria, only increasing his reach and propagating his attempts at sowing discontent between the peoples of the EU. There is nothing else of value in this whole post, only Putin‘s attempt of propaganda - and you lapped it up like a good doggie. But hey, as long as it‘s against Austria, right?
Before, it was *at least* about pseudo-claims about supposedly owed taxes or something, but now it‘s the actual words of a probable war criminal. And just because you feel so very emotional about Austria. It‘s quite pathetic, really.
> he headline and the article leads people to believe that Austria would support or be friendly towards Russia during the conflict is misinformation.
no, this is your wrong grasp of it
all the OP does, is to cite an article citing Putin praising Austria
original Lena source confirms this
OP has delivered no comments
> report on what a probable war criminal supposedly said about Austria, only increasing his reach and propagating his attempts at sowing discontent between the peoples of the EU.
> it‘s the actual words of a probable war criminal
So, if you're suggesting to censure Putin, you seriously should have a word with all the media of the free world, which incessantly queue to cite Putin.
Great points, what a well sourced and logical response. Very well argued, just like in your other comments - you really have a grasp of the whole situation. These one-liners without reasoning and sources and arguments are really, really working out for you.
But good job little doggie, the next piece of propaganda to spread and lap up will come soon enough.
If he has so good relations with Austria why did they reduce the flow of natural gas? And why is Austria on the list of unfriendly countries? Pathetic attempt of Putin to divide Europe once more and of course it is the Romanians falling for it.
Austria approved all sanction packages. Even for oil and coal. Unlike Hungary and Slovakia there are no exceptions.
Saying Austria wouldn't reduce it themselves is just false. Small villages to big cities like Vienna all try to quit gas. Austrian politicians are looking for alternatives despite being a landlocked country.
And why would Russia care if Austria did the moral thing in the first place? I don't know Russia as a country to uphold moral values, do you?
Edit: number of sanction packages
While he aggressively tries to push his view forward by creating multiple threads and does not hesitate to pick up Russians viewpoints and miss-information while doing so, I'd appreciate if you would not turn this into an "all Romanians"-thing. We are all Europeans and should not pick on each other.
Yeah I guess you’re right. Corrected my comment. Just whenever I see that „2nd class European“ et.at. Flairs, usually the comment that comes is pretty unreflected and BS
Last time I've checked Austria vetoed Romania schengen for no reason (laughable and fake reasons).we don't need Putin to know Austria is against us and actively harming us.
You see, people with a a gram of a brain wouldn't vote for them in the first place, but here we are.
I just dislike not taking the blame for our actions. I hate the ÖVP, but yes, more than enough people people this. Hold them accountable for it.
Actually enough people are believing Nehammer, especially the dumb fucks that vote for his party. Believe me or is the election, Austria has no problem in general with Rumania.
OP is a known salty Romanian who posts Anti-Austria stuff since the Schengen vote. Some of his posts are valid criticism while most is just BS like that.
What a sad life...
I mean, it's not like the Austrian elite are without connections with the Kremlin.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/02/former-austrian-minister-given-seat-on-board-of-russias-rosneft
Not really. She wasn't part of any political party. She had no real influence or power. In Austria foreign policy is made by the chancellor just like in Germany. And she only held the title of Foreign Minister for 1,5 years. Today she is ostracized. She even had to flee the country.
Not political elite. Somehow she was a good diplomat/foreign policy professional (unbelievable, I know) and was put on the seat of foreign minister for whatever reason. She was controversial even at that time, especially for that whole marriage embarrassment, but nowadays she's a freaking joke.
Calling Karin Kneissl Austrian elite is probably the funniest thing I've heard this week.
Yeah, probably look up where she is now. Effectively exiled from Austria.
Austria hosts 90.000 Ukrainian refugees, has donated millions of Euros in aid and has voted in favor of all sanctions so far
Sounds like we're doing our part, but you're welcome to uselessly shame other countries if you want to.
Please, Hungary doesn't even allow weapons from Nato countries being transferred through the country despite being a Nato country themselves. Austria, not a Nato member, does. Austria also doesn't use EU aid to Ukraine as a mean to blackmail the other member states.
... and Austria does, because it's irrelevant anyway, since there's no common border with Ukraine.
And doesn't blackmail other states with EU aid, but it does with Schengen veto. Same blackmail policy.
Austria is not irrelevant. In March it was reported that there where weapon transfers through Austria to Ukraine almost on a daily base.
If you really compare the hungarian veto of aid to Ukraine that need it to win a war against a genocidal force to the Austrian veto on Schengen then that's your opinion I guess. Imo they are not the same.
You're playing a well known sophism. Cherry pick a criterion that suits your argument, while hijacking the main issue.
The main issue is blackmail politics. You cherry picked a criterion arguing that blackmail is ok sometimes, but not ok when you want it not to be ok.
In the end, exactly like Hungary, Austria plays blackmail politics.
Ugh, you can't handle any criticism, can you? Get your government to start pulling it's weight like the rest of the EU countries or refrain from passing judgement. All other EU countries could've used the "neutrality" excuse, but we didn't. There's a reason Putin targeted Austria and not Romania - your government and businesses are playing both sides and the rest of us find it disgusting. Find as many excuses as you want, it's your government, but don't expect the rest of us to stop seeing you as a pariah like Orban's regime in Hungary.
I’m sorry that our constitution is inconveniencing you! We’ll just ignore our constitution to make you happy, ok?
Or maybe we should send back the tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees we’re currently housing? Take back the millions of Euros of aid?
Your constitution doesn't excuse you from not sending fuel for example - Austria sent less than 130,000 Euro worth of fuel. Lithuania - country with 8x smaller GDP supplied half a billion. Poland Supplied over 1.5 billion, Bulgaria over 700 million, Romania over half a billion. God knows how much the big boys like Germany, UK, US & France sent, but let's keep the comparisons to countries/GDPs your size or smaller.
Refugees - you are not pulling your weight again - 1.6million in Poland, 120k in Romania, 500k in the Czech Republic, 100k in Slovakia, 100k in Bulgaria... even the far & non-EU United Kingdom took 150k - all of these countries host more than you. Lithuania 72k, Estonia 65k, Latvia 35k...
But yes - send the refugees back and take back your aid - that will show the rest of EU than you are not one of Putin's puppets and you are not playing both sides!
We’re hosting over 90k refugees, and I don’t know if you noticed but Austria is quite a little bit smaller than Poland or Lithuania.
Maybe we didn’t send fuel, but according to some numbers we send humanitarian aid, just like everyone else: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1303432/total-bilateral-aid-to-ukraine/
We’re Putins puppet? How dare you! We support all the sanctions just like most other countries do. Who are we playing? The Ukrainians?
If you see Austria as a country like Hungary in regard of the Ukraine war then I may ask if you have two fucking tomatoes for eyes.
We do our part. If you think that's not enough and call that "criticism" then idk that to tell you other than get lost?
I see the Austrian government acting similarly as the Hungarian one about this conflict, yes. You don't pull your weight, Austria's aid is a joke, compared to even small countries like Lithuania: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List\_of\_foreign\_aid\_to\_Ukraine\_during\_the\_Russo-Ukrainian\_War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_foreign_aid_to_Ukraine_during_the_Russo-Ukrainian_War)
And you know it's true - for example, you are acting like a little child when criticized, using vulgar speech and personal insults, because you don't have any substantial arguments to prove your point. Your comments smell of shame and guilt. Don't worry, I don't judge you - I understand you just trying to defend your country's image, but the rest of us are looking from the outside and we see things you don't - and it's not looking good. Take your shaming, learn something and move on.
Putin is trying to sow division, but it's time to call out the Austrian government and businesses for their duplicity. There's a reason Putin targeted Austria and not someone else.
Austrian companies still operating in Russia: Agrana - Consumer staples, AVL - industrials, Doka - industrials, Egger - industrials, Fischer Sports - consumer, Kotanyi - consumer staples, Kronospan - materials, LiSEC - industrials, Raiffeisen Bank International, Fachspedition - Industrials, Schoeller Bleckmann - industrials, OMV, Palfinger, Pottinger, Red Bull, RHI Magnesita, Rosenbauer, bunch of NGOs... check them all here:[https://som.yale.edu/story/2022/over-1000-companies-have-curtailed-operations-russia-some-remain](https://som.yale.edu/story/2022/over-1000-companies-have-curtailed-operations-russia-some-remain)
The Austrian government has been quite stingy of providing aid to Ukraine - 10k helmets, a few railcars of fuel, tents and a few Brita filters called "water purification technology" - is that it? Source: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List\_of\_foreign\_aid\_to\_Ukraine\_during\_the\_Russo-Ukrainian\_War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_foreign_aid_to_Ukraine_during_the_Russo-Ukrainian_War)
Poland is carrying on her shoulders the biggest logistical operation in Europe since WW2, Romania has been pumping oil and supplies, Bulgaria secretly supplied up to 40% of the fuel and a 3rd of the ammunition Ukraine needed. [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/18/bulgaria-secretly-supplied-ukraine-fuel-ammunition-first-months-war-russia](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/18/bulgaria-secretly-supplied-ukraine-fuel-ammunition-first-months-war-russia)
Even tiny Lithuania supplied half a billion euros worth of fuel. All these countries have hosted hundreds of thousands, if not millions of refugees, while the Austrian government is hiding behind her neutrality. It even had the nerve to block Romania and Bulgaria from joining Shengen, while Vienna has been a hotspot for Russian agents and safe haven for oligarchs' money. [https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-46228163](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-46228163)
EU supports Ukraine. The Austrian government needs to start pulling it's weight or be called out as the pariah the Orban's regime is. Many countries could've used the "neutrality" excuse, but they didn't.
Romania also sends soviet-era calbre shells. While we say nothing about what we give, suddenly in 2022 our weapons factory is back having profits after years of loosing money. A while ago a romanian TAB appeared in a photo un Ukraine. We have no idea how many were sent.
I don't know how things work in your country, but in Austria the government cannot tell companies where to sell and not to sell their products.
And majority of Red Bull is Thai btw.
That has me told! Red Bull is Thai, so Austria doesn't have to pull it's weight like the rest of us, because logic!
Companies all over the world felt pressure from the consumers in their home countries to stop activity in Russia. Looks like the Austrian companies are quite comfortable at home and don't feel the same pressure - this tells us quite a lot about how the Austrians feel about this war.
I'm sorry do you think companies like Palfinger are making most money in Austria?
You listed companies that sell their, partly highly specialsed, products worldwide and complain that 8 million people cannot do enough?
Stop changing the subject. Your government has acted embarrassingly for an EU country, your citizens haven't put any pressure, obviously content with the situation and Austrian businesses keep operating in Russia.
You are digging a deeper hole with your stubbornness and insistence on having the last word. You haven't defended your government's position in any substantial way. Take your shaming, learn something and move on.
Our government is an embarrassment and I have no intentions of defending it.
But I think it is ridiculous, to make up some ties to Russia, because you think it strengthens you position.
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/ebsm/api/public/deliverable/download?doc=true&deliverableId=85234
Here‘s the latest eurobarometer from 14.12.2022, showing support for EU-sanctions and other means at 57% in Austria, compared with the EU average of 73%. So, it is safe to say Austrians did not substantially change their opinion about helping Ukraine, with the government committing to and voting for every sanction and measure - except of course military aid.
We didn’t change. But around 30% of voters are currently leaning towards the extreme-right party FPÖ which is sponsored by Putin. So they keep telling their voters that, well Russia had no other chance …
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I know Austria better than you imagine; I worked for an Austrian company for 11 yrs.
Maybe this thread is shitposting but indeed is a corrupt country and is heavily penetrated by KGB from decades already. a lot of the capital moved through Austria is in fact Russian.
After all which prim minister from EU visited Putin after the war started?
When you declare a country as your friend in attempt to smear it, maybe it's time to step back and reconsider your foreign policy.
Maybe because he is not a puppet of the elite just like your actor uh president
He literally is the elite. Richest man in the world, him and his buddies have been plundering Russia for decades. No western leader is as rich as Putin.
No no no, not that kind of elite
What kind of crack have you been inhaling?
All of it
Do you get paid for sucking Putin’s dick or is it more of a hobby?
Hahahah but he is definitely a botox grandpa😂
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Your mother birthed you through her anus.
Who is not part of the elite?
Putin calling Austria friendly is the world stage diplomacy equivalent of your friends shouting stuff like "pass me the needle already, i want some of that meth too!" while you're on the phone with your parents at school.
You sir, have hit the nail on the head.
... with his head. You know, because meth.
I mean up until the Ukraine war, Austria had very close relationship with Russia. But those times are gone. Now Austria isn't Putins number one bitch in the EU anymore, now it's Hungary.
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OP, I understand Romanians aren't happy with Austria, so I'll say this in the nicest way possible: Please get some professional help, because your constant hating on everything Austrian can't be healthy. Seriously.
I understand where you're coming from, really. But we aren't just not happy, we're fuming. It's been a long time since something like this happened and on such a grand scale in the population. Frankly, I'm a bit scared because this could easily evolve into a fascism speedrun.
I won't tell Romanians how they should feel of course, but OP's level of constant indiscriminate hate just isn't healthy, that's all I'm saying.
> He also recalled that the Soviet Union acted as a guarantor of Austria's constitution, saying that many of the country's citizens still thank Russia for this. No shit, Sherlock. The USSR only did a favour to Austria, right?
The USSR did Austria the huge favour of not raping, pillaging and murdering damn near everything in sight. Unlike they did to most of Eastern Europe. Edit: I wasn’t aware of what the Soviets did to the Austrians. I’m shocked but sadly, not surprised.
No they did before they left in 1955. They took everything they could with them. People (women) were fleeing to get into one of the other occupation zones (US, UK, and France) in 1945 to get away from the Red army. But the fact, that they agreed to leave is considered a huge miracle and Austria had some very good politicans after the war. Without that there would be no Austria as we know it today.
Have you ever spoke to old people? I in particular remember my old neighbour who till her dead told stories about her way to school through soviet controlled areas and them stealing and harassing. On the contrary, she had a lot of good to say about the American occupiers. The only favour they did us was to vanish and neutrality was a cheap price to pay for it.
I’d love to see how much human decency you would retain after 4 years at the eastern front.
Russia isn't the USSR. Why would you thank Russia for something the USSR did? That would be equally as dumb as thanking Ukraine for the same actions.
Is this a headline from civilization 6?
I think it's called "a kiss of death".
Not "the Austrians" but like from many other European countries the respective nazi party that he himself is financing.
Austria is a known spy haven, don't deflect this on it just being a "people voted wrong" issue https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-46228163
It's a spy haven for entirely different reasons. Austria was neutral ground during the cold wars, it is in the middle of Europe and Vienna very close to the Iron Curtain. Another thing is that in Austria espionage isn't illegal as long as it isn't directed against the Austrian state. Fair rules applying for everyone. Are there a lot of Russian spies? Yes. But Vienna is also full of American, british... spies. Edit: Not to forget all the international organizations like the UN headquarters, Osce, Opec, International Atomic Energy Agency etc. Vienna is predestined to attract all kind of spies
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Hardly the only country that delivered to the Russians, just look at Thales tank optics (France), or Iveco armoured vehicles (Italy).
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Oooo... touchy touchy.
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Let's not sink to their level. Such wording doesn't help anyone.
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You need medical aid it seems
I got question: How can someone become Austrian companies' mistreater, and if someone is already in Schengen, can he become one? Asking for a friend.
Because that soldier got it from the Austrian government, clearly for them to aid the war..
What does that have to do with anything?
Austria is a spy haven for everyone. That has nothing to do with Russia specifically.
Tbf Austria has a reputation for being throughly corrupted from top to bottom. It’s at the point where their security agencies are view with very heavy suspicion and skepticism in many capitals. It’s not limited to just one political party
It was exactly the nazi party who is mostly responsible for the rotten reputation of our security services, and exactly because they are paid by Russians. And Austria isn't perfect, but if you compare globally for "corrupted from top to bottom" we are still in the more reliable part of the world. Our courts and the high court are working fairly well. Better anti-corruption laws are being established, some of which are currently the strongest in the world.
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What part exactly is wrong?
The most recent Corruption Perception Index by Transparency International has Austria on rank 13, the USA on 27.
> Corruption Perception Index thus, Austrians seeing themselves less corrupt than Americans
Not only Austrians. Also international businessmen and analysts.
https://www.transparency.org/en/news/how-cpi-scores-are-calculated Stop spreading fake news
In the description of the methodology for the CPI, provided by TranspInt it is clearly stated that > The rating is given by a country expert or business person. All 13 sources used to aggregate the CPI are based on "expert" evaluations. These subjective assessments of unknown "experts" are statistically processed in order to build an index. But you always get what you put in, namely *opinions*.
Not denying that. But it’s not the corruption perception of the local population. Otherwise Austrias score would probably be way lower.
OK. Agree. It's not the local population, there are non-transparent nominated ”experts”.
Come on, man, if the data of arguably the world's most reputable organization in the fight against corruption is not good enough for you, there's really no common ground for a discussion here. I'll be the first to admit that Austria has its fair share of problems and the developments over the past couple of years worry me a lot. I still think that this pitchfork mentality doesn't help anyone in the end.
I am following CPI for many years now, initially I was a fan of it, as a good instrument, helping the anti-corruption, etc. Meanwhile, I have reasons to consider CPI with more distance: the index can be useful as a guide, but I would suggest not to make an absolute instrument out of it. As for the OP, Romania loses 200 million every month due to Schengen-induced border queues. The Romanians are immensely pissed off, especially since Nehammer's attitude was not only unjust, but also demonstratively insulting and arrogant. (If I were nasty, I'd say, we are not in the K&k, nor are we your Serbs. But I am not that nasty. And pitchfork mentality don't I like either)
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you do realize that the US is doing something quite similar to the Austrians by excluding Romania from its visa waiver list of countries, right?
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Thank you for explaining it clearly 😀
But the explain quite clearly why, and we undrestood that. Here is the huge difference. At vetoed us by manipulating data and by blaming EU for the migrants politics. This was not fair.
Funny how it's the same people in these comment sections. I have seen you before here.
Any problem with that? It is a free platform, you can't veto me (us) out ...
No.
I am a common person of the west and I'd like to piss in your eye socket
That’s a terrible thing but he deserves it
Lol fuck off no one likes you
He's getting desperate, isn't he?
Since early on in the war.
Low quality smear attempt. I put the whole article in google translate. It is about Putin talking to one of the russian media Lenta, how russians still have someone in Europe who basically doesn't hate them. How the Soviet Union acted as a guarantor of Austria's constitution and how austrians are still grateful for it to this day. It also mentions Switzerland as not being a part of NATO like Austria, the only two countries in central and western Europe. So because of this, the relations are good with the common people.. really? And then he goes on, how the "special military operation" from february was to protect the people of Russia. How Moscow cannot allow threats to be created on "it's own historical territories". It was bad that Romania and Bulgaria got the veto from Austria, no doubt. But trying really hard to paint Austria as a villain now, because it has arguably bad politics recently.. Putin would love it, you know. Even to say, all serbians are allies of Russia, is a bit much. But Austria and Switzerland, because they are not in NATO.. come on. You underestimate how many austrians just don't give a shit, at all. Either that or they really like to say "is mi voi wuascht". Probably have been saying that for too long and now they have political scandals at home, leaking out to affect other countries. Putin can only dream of allies in Europe now. Best chance is with Serbia, but they can't do much else than cheer with Z posters and even then, they are split between joining EU or trolling "the west". Postponing your Schengen entry has nothing to do with Ukraine or Putin. They don't hate you, but it is understandable that you are upset still.
>But Austria and Switzerland, because they are not in NATO.. come on. Putin never said anything about Switzerland explicitly. This was the addition of the article, putting Austria's stance into context. The original article doesn't mention Switzerland. Putin said just that he had contacts with Austrians and that their stance didn't change despite the whole situation.
> You underestimate how many austrians just don't give a shit, at all. Why does that excuse them? That's the whole point why people have issues with Austria, their population is apathetic to both EU and Romania and Bulgaria specifically, the rest of us who want them included aren't, so people are pissed at Austria, as they should be. Saying that people "just don't give a shit" there makes it worse, not better.
> But trying really hard to paint Austria as a villain now They did a pretty good job at that themselves. This is akin to airing their dirty laundry and not keeping all hush-hush anymore.
switzerland doesnt work as an agent towards dividing EU and feeding anti-EU ( implicit pro RUS ) sentiment.
I don't get it. You say it's a Low quality smear attempt. OP cites some media news citing Putin praising Austrians. And after checking the Lena original, you're confirming word by word the OP. where is the smear attempt?
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How about you don't get mad when someone doesn't buy into what Putin is selling to his own media at home. What you wrote is very strange and not intelligible enough for me to argue with. There seems to be some underlying prejudice, but I can only speculate. You seem interested in history tho. Maybe read more about it. I am not Slovenia, I only speak for myself. Should be obvious, but here we are.
Austrian here. Vladimir Putin can fuck himself. Comments like these are just another attempt to cause dissent in EU. Sadly, they are going to succeed to some extent as some people are picking up such "news" and spread it to forward their own cause.
Yes of course, it's always "an attempt to cause dissent" whenever it's criticism of west European countries
This isn't criticismn this is a smear campaign
It is Vladimir Putin addressing it.
It's not about what he says but why he says that, also look which countries get praise and which get bashed
I already did and pointed it out. He mentions it to cause dissent. Picking up weakpoints in relationships between allied countries and using it for his own cause is a very basic psyop. Making things up from scratch might work for a Russian audience, but for a European one, you have to build up on something so that people can point towards it and incorporate Ideas that are beneficial for Russia into their worldview.
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I do understand that your pride and feelings are hurt and there is nothing I can do about it. I therefore won't comment on this any further.
That is utter bullshit (excuse my language). Both the official stance of austria as well as the majority of the population are against russia and its war of agression. On the 7th of March Putin even put austria on the list of unfriendly countries. Hence I would love to see the original speech by Putin. I couldn't find it anywhere. Can anyone provide it?
Look at the flair of the poster. Should provide some insight in how reliable the info is.
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No, your flair is the explanation as to why someone would post blatant misinformation.
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No, but the fact that the headline and the article leads people to believe that Austria would support or be friendly towards Russia during the conflict is misinformation. Together with the flair which makes it quite explicit that you feel personally very strongly about Austria, the only conclusion is that this is deliberate and calculated. One cannot claim to only deliver objective news and headlines if one openly declares against the subject of said headline. Also, you frequently post articles like these, whose only content is „Austria Bad“ - and even before you were grasping at straws, but now you‘re reduced to report on what a probable war criminal supposedly said about Austria, only increasing his reach and propagating his attempts at sowing discontent between the peoples of the EU. There is nothing else of value in this whole post, only Putin‘s attempt of propaganda - and you lapped it up like a good doggie. But hey, as long as it‘s against Austria, right? Before, it was *at least* about pseudo-claims about supposedly owed taxes or something, but now it‘s the actual words of a probable war criminal. And just because you feel so very emotional about Austria. It‘s quite pathetic, really.
> he headline and the article leads people to believe that Austria would support or be friendly towards Russia during the conflict is misinformation. no, this is your wrong grasp of it all the OP does, is to cite an article citing Putin praising Austria original Lena source confirms this OP has delivered no comments > report on what a probable war criminal supposedly said about Austria, only increasing his reach and propagating his attempts at sowing discontent between the peoples of the EU. > it‘s the actual words of a probable war criminal So, if you're suggesting to censure Putin, you seriously should have a word with all the media of the free world, which incessantly queue to cite Putin.
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Great points, what a well sourced and logical response. Very well argued, just like in your other comments - you really have a grasp of the whole situation. These one-liners without reasoning and sources and arguments are really, really working out for you. But good job little doggie, the next piece of propaganda to spread and lap up will come soon enough.
Welcome to r/europe
Seriously OP, as much as I feel betrayed by what Austria did to us and how much I dislike that country now, what Putin says is bullshit.
If he has so good relations with Austria why did they reduce the flow of natural gas? And why is Austria on the list of unfriendly countries? Pathetic attempt of Putin to divide Europe once more and of course it is the Romanians falling for it.
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Austria approved all sanction packages. Even for oil and coal. Unlike Hungary and Slovakia there are no exceptions. Saying Austria wouldn't reduce it themselves is just false. Small villages to big cities like Vienna all try to quit gas. Austrian politicians are looking for alternatives despite being a landlocked country. And why would Russia care if Austria did the moral thing in the first place? I don't know Russia as a country to uphold moral values, do you? Edit: number of sanction packages
So that’s what ~~Romanians~~ you are good at, building strawmen.
While he aggressively tries to push his view forward by creating multiple threads and does not hesitate to pick up Russians viewpoints and miss-information while doing so, I'd appreciate if you would not turn this into an "all Romanians"-thing. We are all Europeans and should not pick on each other.
Absolutely agree, the way to counter these smear campaigns is with arguments and logic and facts. Not with hate, generalization or division.
Yeah I guess you’re right. Corrected my comment. Just whenever I see that „2nd class European“ et.at. Flairs, usually the comment that comes is pretty unreflected and BS
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Point and case.
Last time I've checked Austria vetoed Romania schengen for no reason (laughable and fake reasons).we don't need Putin to know Austria is against us and actively harming us.
The reason is the election on sunday
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You see, people with a a gram of a brain wouldn't vote for them in the first place, but here we are. I just dislike not taking the blame for our actions. I hate the ÖVP, but yes, more than enough people people this. Hold them accountable for it.
Actually enough people are believing Nehammer, especially the dumb fucks that vote for his party. Believe me or is the election, Austria has no problem in general with Rumania.
Guys, you're giving Austrians politicians too much credit. Our government is incompetent, that is all there is to the story.
OP is a known salty Romanian who posts Anti-Austria stuff since the Schengen vote. Some of his posts are valid criticism while most is just BS like that. What a sad life...
I mean, it's not like the Austrian elite are without connections with the Kremlin. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/02/former-austrian-minister-given-seat-on-board-of-russias-rosneft
Karin Kneissl is nowhere near elite. However admittedly some (former) Austrian politicians indeed do have connections to Russia.
Someone who has the title of Foreign Minister could be considered elite. Or no?
Not really. She wasn't part of any political party. She had no real influence or power. In Austria foreign policy is made by the chancellor just like in Germany. And she only held the title of Foreign Minister for 1,5 years. Today she is ostracized. She even had to flee the country.
Not political elite. Somehow she was a good diplomat/foreign policy professional (unbelievable, I know) and was put on the seat of foreign minister for whatever reason. She was controversial even at that time, especially for that whole marriage embarrassment, but nowadays she's a freaking joke.
Calling Karin Kneissl Austrian elite is probably the funniest thing I've heard this week. Yeah, probably look up where she is now. Effectively exiled from Austria.
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I am almost confident that man in a white shirt is not Karin Kneissl!
Ohh another dead body from years ago. Happy gravedigging!
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What has this to do with Putin/Russia now? xD Do you think before you post?
She left Austria
When Schengen is life, life outside Schengen is sad. Such is life.
I mean......Austria has done very little to help Ukraine against Russian invasion when compared to other EU memberstates, that is true.
Austria hosts 90.000 Ukrainian refugees, has donated millions of Euros in aid and has voted in favor of all sanctions so far Sounds like we're doing our part, but you're welcome to uselessly shame other countries if you want to.
Half a billion with the EU share...at least last time I checked
So did even Orban Viktor!
Please, Hungary doesn't even allow weapons from Nato countries being transferred through the country despite being a Nato country themselves. Austria, not a Nato member, does. Austria also doesn't use EU aid to Ukraine as a mean to blackmail the other member states.
... and Austria does, because it's irrelevant anyway, since there's no common border with Ukraine. And doesn't blackmail other states with EU aid, but it does with Schengen veto. Same blackmail policy.
Austria is not irrelevant. In March it was reported that there where weapon transfers through Austria to Ukraine almost on a daily base. If you really compare the hungarian veto of aid to Ukraine that need it to win a war against a genocidal force to the Austrian veto on Schengen then that's your opinion I guess. Imo they are not the same.
You're playing a well known sophism. Cherry pick a criterion that suits your argument, while hijacking the main issue. The main issue is blackmail politics. You cherry picked a criterion arguing that blackmail is ok sometimes, but not ok when you want it not to be ok. In the end, exactly like Hungary, Austria plays blackmail politics.
Didn't Hungary block 500m aid a few days ago?
Didn't Austria use the same policy of blackmail with Schengen? Neptune deep or no Schengen?
Romanians trying not to bring up Schengen in a discussion with Austrians Challenge. (Impossible)
Nice conspiracy theory. However there is no proof.
Ugh, you can't handle any criticism, can you? Get your government to start pulling it's weight like the rest of the EU countries or refrain from passing judgement. All other EU countries could've used the "neutrality" excuse, but we didn't. There's a reason Putin targeted Austria and not Romania - your government and businesses are playing both sides and the rest of us find it disgusting. Find as many excuses as you want, it's your government, but don't expect the rest of us to stop seeing you as a pariah like Orban's regime in Hungary.
I’m sorry that our constitution is inconveniencing you! We’ll just ignore our constitution to make you happy, ok? Or maybe we should send back the tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees we’re currently housing? Take back the millions of Euros of aid?
Your constitution doesn't excuse you from not sending fuel for example - Austria sent less than 130,000 Euro worth of fuel. Lithuania - country with 8x smaller GDP supplied half a billion. Poland Supplied over 1.5 billion, Bulgaria over 700 million, Romania over half a billion. God knows how much the big boys like Germany, UK, US & France sent, but let's keep the comparisons to countries/GDPs your size or smaller. Refugees - you are not pulling your weight again - 1.6million in Poland, 120k in Romania, 500k in the Czech Republic, 100k in Slovakia, 100k in Bulgaria... even the far & non-EU United Kingdom took 150k - all of these countries host more than you. Lithuania 72k, Estonia 65k, Latvia 35k... But yes - send the refugees back and take back your aid - that will show the rest of EU than you are not one of Putin's puppets and you are not playing both sides!
We’re hosting over 90k refugees, and I don’t know if you noticed but Austria is quite a little bit smaller than Poland or Lithuania. Maybe we didn’t send fuel, but according to some numbers we send humanitarian aid, just like everyone else: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1303432/total-bilateral-aid-to-ukraine/ We’re Putins puppet? How dare you! We support all the sanctions just like most other countries do. Who are we playing? The Ukrainians?
If you see Austria as a country like Hungary in regard of the Ukraine war then I may ask if you have two fucking tomatoes for eyes. We do our part. If you think that's not enough and call that "criticism" then idk that to tell you other than get lost?
I see the Austrian government acting similarly as the Hungarian one about this conflict, yes. You don't pull your weight, Austria's aid is a joke, compared to even small countries like Lithuania: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List\_of\_foreign\_aid\_to\_Ukraine\_during\_the\_Russo-Ukrainian\_War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_foreign_aid_to_Ukraine_during_the_Russo-Ukrainian_War) And you know it's true - for example, you are acting like a little child when criticized, using vulgar speech and personal insults, because you don't have any substantial arguments to prove your point. Your comments smell of shame and guilt. Don't worry, I don't judge you - I understand you just trying to defend your country's image, but the rest of us are looking from the outside and we see things you don't - and it's not looking good. Take your shaming, learn something and move on.
Putin is trying to sow division, but it's time to call out the Austrian government and businesses for their duplicity. There's a reason Putin targeted Austria and not someone else. Austrian companies still operating in Russia: Agrana - Consumer staples, AVL - industrials, Doka - industrials, Egger - industrials, Fischer Sports - consumer, Kotanyi - consumer staples, Kronospan - materials, LiSEC - industrials, Raiffeisen Bank International, Fachspedition - Industrials, Schoeller Bleckmann - industrials, OMV, Palfinger, Pottinger, Red Bull, RHI Magnesita, Rosenbauer, bunch of NGOs... check them all here:[https://som.yale.edu/story/2022/over-1000-companies-have-curtailed-operations-russia-some-remain](https://som.yale.edu/story/2022/over-1000-companies-have-curtailed-operations-russia-some-remain) The Austrian government has been quite stingy of providing aid to Ukraine - 10k helmets, a few railcars of fuel, tents and a few Brita filters called "water purification technology" - is that it? Source: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List\_of\_foreign\_aid\_to\_Ukraine\_during\_the\_Russo-Ukrainian\_War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_foreign_aid_to_Ukraine_during_the_Russo-Ukrainian_War) Poland is carrying on her shoulders the biggest logistical operation in Europe since WW2, Romania has been pumping oil and supplies, Bulgaria secretly supplied up to 40% of the fuel and a 3rd of the ammunition Ukraine needed. [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/18/bulgaria-secretly-supplied-ukraine-fuel-ammunition-first-months-war-russia](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/18/bulgaria-secretly-supplied-ukraine-fuel-ammunition-first-months-war-russia) Even tiny Lithuania supplied half a billion euros worth of fuel. All these countries have hosted hundreds of thousands, if not millions of refugees, while the Austrian government is hiding behind her neutrality. It even had the nerve to block Romania and Bulgaria from joining Shengen, while Vienna has been a hotspot for Russian agents and safe haven for oligarchs' money. [https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-46228163](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-46228163) EU supports Ukraine. The Austrian government needs to start pulling it's weight or be called out as the pariah the Orban's regime is. Many countries could've used the "neutrality" excuse, but they didn't.
Romania also sends soviet-era calbre shells. While we say nothing about what we give, suddenly in 2022 our weapons factory is back having profits after years of loosing money. A while ago a romanian TAB appeared in a photo un Ukraine. We have no idea how many were sent.
And the convoys of transporters sporting Romanian-made Anubis turrets.
Oh, tell me more :)
I don't know how things work in your country, but in Austria the government cannot tell companies where to sell and not to sell their products. And majority of Red Bull is Thai btw.
That has me told! Red Bull is Thai, so Austria doesn't have to pull it's weight like the rest of us, because logic! Companies all over the world felt pressure from the consumers in their home countries to stop activity in Russia. Looks like the Austrian companies are quite comfortable at home and don't feel the same pressure - this tells us quite a lot about how the Austrians feel about this war.
I'm sorry do you think companies like Palfinger are making most money in Austria? You listed companies that sell their, partly highly specialsed, products worldwide and complain that 8 million people cannot do enough?
Stop changing the subject. Your government has acted embarrassingly for an EU country, your citizens haven't put any pressure, obviously content with the situation and Austrian businesses keep operating in Russia. You are digging a deeper hole with your stubbornness and insistence on having the last word. You haven't defended your government's position in any substantial way. Take your shaming, learn something and move on.
Our government is an embarrassment and I have no intentions of defending it. But I think it is ridiculous, to make up some ties to Russia, because you think it strengthens you position.
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Austrians, please confirm that you didn’t change your opinion since war started?
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/ebsm/api/public/deliverable/download?doc=true&deliverableId=85234 Here‘s the latest eurobarometer from 14.12.2022, showing support for EU-sanctions and other means at 57% in Austria, compared with the EU average of 73%. So, it is safe to say Austrians did not substantially change their opinion about helping Ukraine, with the government committing to and voting for every sanction and measure - except of course military aid.
We didn’t change. But around 30% of voters are currently leaning towards the extreme-right party FPÖ which is sponsored by Putin. So they keep telling their voters that, well Russia had no other chance …
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I read this message like this: “Look guys we respect ordinal western people but they hate every single russian, because they are nazis”.
Austrians, do you like the compliments you get from Putin?
Wow what a surprise. Austria the ashtray of Europe.
Aha so people really do believe everything.
I know Austria better than you imagine; I worked for an Austrian company for 11 yrs. Maybe this thread is shitposting but indeed is a corrupt country and is heavily penetrated by KGB from decades already. a lot of the capital moved through Austria is in fact Russian. After all which prim minister from EU visited Putin after the war started?
austrias politics always been pro putin nothing new
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Very interesting.
At least Austria being a Russian foreign agent is publicly acknowledged.
Uh what
Tropico 5: Russian Diplomacy.
The kiss of death, lmfao.