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No grounds to view Vienna as platform for Russian-Ukrainian talks — Russian envoy

Dmitry Lyubinsky, that Austria considers "it has chosen a side"

Russian Ambassador to Austria Dmitry Lyubinsky Russian Embassy in Austria

Russian Ambassador to Austria Dmitry Lyubinsky

© Russian Embassy in Austria

MOSCOW, February 7. /TASS/. There are no reasons to view Vienna as a hypothetical mediator or a potential platform for talks between Russia and Ukraine, Russian Ambassador to Austria Dmitry Lyubinsky said in an interview for Izvestia published Tuesday.

Answering a question if Vienna could provide a platform for talks between Russia and Ukraine, the envoy stated that "the Austrian sovereignty is getting increasingly blurred."

"This manifests both in this country joining the collective West’s anti-Russian sanctions, and in provision of aid to the Kiev regime, as well as in public statements of the authorities regarding their unconditional support of Kiev. During his recent visit to Ukraine, President Alexander Van der Bellen underscored that Austria is not neutral at all ‘in the political dimension’ - while it does not ship weapons to Ukraine, and does not have the required weapons, it will not prevent others from doing that in any way. Therefore there are no grounds to view Vienna as a hypothetical intermediary or a potential platform for negotiations," he noted.

The diplomat underscored that Austria "has chosen its side."

"The strong anti-Russian statements and the recent groundless expulsion of our diplomats are yet another proof. Vienna deliberately continues to burn bridges and destroy our once constructive relations, while, effectively, giving no thought to the consequences," he concluded.

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Ukraine Austria

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