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Vienna makes conscious choice to ruin relations with Moscow, Russian envoy says

It is highlighted that relations between Russia and Austria, which once were constructive, are now on the decline

MOSCOW, February 2. /TASS/. Vienna is making a conscious choice to continue tearing down relations with Moscow, Russian Ambassador to Austria Dmitry Lyubinsky said on Thursday.

"Vienna is making a serious and conscious choice to continue ruining our bilateral relations and channels for dialogue. It will certainly affect the Austrian capital’s authority as a neutral international negotiation platform," the envoy told the Rossiya-24 TV channel.

According to him, this also calls into question Vienna’s ability and willingness "to perform a mediating role, which used to be Austria’s strong point." "We are certainly drawing conclusions for ourselves," the ambassador added.

Relations between Russia and Austria, which once were constructive, are now on the decline, the envoy admitted. In this regard, Lyubinsky pointed to Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg’s remark, in which he had boasted of being the first minister to announce the expulsion of a Russian diplomat. "It is quite a dubious achievement to be proud of," the ambassador noted.

"The collective West is working to further escalate the conflict, and Vienna, to my great regret, is making its contribution to the process," the diplomat emphasized.