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“The image that is currently emerging that a military chemical weapon is spreading again indicates that government agencies were involved in some way. That is definitely scary,” Schallenberg said. “The facts must not only be strongly condemned, but also shed a terrifying light on Russia. Moscow now has to create clarity, if only in its own interest, that is, with regard to relations with the European Union and its countries. partners “.
The minister emphasizes that there is an EU sanctions regime against the spread of chemical weapons. “Depending on the results of the investigations, we reserve the right to impose sanctions.” These, however, “cannot simply be said without proof. It is necessary to know who is responsible.” However, according to the FAZ, Schallenberg does not want to shake up the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, in which the Austrian MVNO is also involved.
“Without a doubt there will be a discussion” about it, but you have to “be careful not to group everything together,” said the foreign minister. He noted that a distinction had also been made regarding Crimea and eastern Ukraine: there were economic and personal sanctions, but the gas project was continuing.
Basically, the following applies to the Russian policy of Austria: “When borders are crossed that are not negotiable for us, we draw a very clear line.” But Austria, like Germany, has always taken the position of seeking a dialogue based on clear values, the chancellor said, according to the newspaper. “Russia is our neighbor and geography cannot be changed.”
The president of the United States, Donald Trump, for his part, does not consider the information provided by the German government about the poison attack on Kremlin critic Alexej Navalny to be proven. “We don’t have any evidence yet, but I’ll take a look,” Trump said Friday. He refrained from criticizing Moscow, instead emphasizing that he had a good relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Germany had previously informed its NATO allies, including the United States, that Navalny had been exposed to a neurotoxin from the Novichok group before falling into a coma. NATO condemned the Navalny poisoning as a serious violation of international law and requires Russia to consent to international investigations.
“I don’t know exactly what happened,” said the president of the United States. “I think it’s tragic, it’s terrible, it shouldn’t have happened.” The German government announced Wednesday that Navalny had been poisoned “without a doubt” with a chemical nerve agent from the so-called Novichok group. “I would be very upset if that was the case,” Trump said. Russia denies being involved in the poisoning of the 44-year-old politician.
Navalny was airlifted from Russia to Berlin on August 22 with symptoms of poisoning, where he has since been treated at the Charité Clinic. Doctors at the Siberian hospital where Navalny was initially treated, according to their own statements and according to the Kremlin, found no poison in the body of the well-known critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Possible sanctions against Russia due to the poison attack are currently being discussed at the EU level. At a special NATO meeting on Friday, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called for an “impartial” investigation into the case. All 30 NATO members “condemned the” horrific assassination attempt “of the Kremlin critic” in the strongest possible terms, “Stoltenberg said. The use of nerve agents is” a flagrant violation of international law “and requires” a response. international”.
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