The security situation in Ukraine, said Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, has a significant impact on Central European countries

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has said that Vienna is ready to support sanctions against Russia if the Kremlin invades Ukraine again.

He said this in Kyiv at a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, as well as the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Schallenberg said that there was now a real risk of military confrontation and aggression in Europe, so Central European countries should reaffirm their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He said that the security situation in Ukraine had a significant impact on Central European countries. “Ukraine’s sovereignty is also a matter of our own security,” Schallenberg said.

The Austrian foreign minister stressed that there is a strong consensus in the European Union on new sanctions against Russia. And, he said, Austria intends to support them in case of further military aggression against Ukraine.

“Yes, it will be painful for us, but it will be painful for everyone. Do we want to go down that road? Absolutely not! But it seems that we have to use this deterrent,” Schallenberg said.

He added that in the next few days the Austrian government will approve 2.5 million euros in humanitarian aid for Ukraine. The money will be distributed through the International Committee of the Red Cross.