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Vienna’s influence on adoption of anti-Russia sanctions not to be overestimated — envoy

Having recklessly joined the anti-Russia team and tarnished the core principles of its own neutrality, Vienna dropped out of top tier of European policy, losing the ability to speak with its own voice," Dmitry Lyubinsky said

VIENNA, December 28. /TASS/. Austria’s influence on adoption of sanctions against Moscow should not be overestimated, Russian Ambassador to Vienna Dmitry Lyubinsky told TASS when commenting on media reports on Vienna’s demand to remove Raiffeisen bank from Kiev’s blacklist in exchange for approval of the 12th package of anti-Russia restrictions.

"As far as Austria is concerned, we are not prone to overestimate its influence as of today when collective decisions are taken in Brussels. Having recklessly joined the anti-Russia team and tarnished the core principles of its own neutrality, Vienna dropped out of top tier of European policy, losing the ability to speak with its own voice," he said.

Today’s Austrian leadership will hardly dare make any serious steps regarding Moscow or Kiev without receiving permission from Washington or Brussels, the diplomat added.

Earlier, Reuters said that Austria had given its approval to the 12th package of EU sanctions on Russia after Ukraine removed Raiffeisen Bank International from a blacklist.