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Senior Austrian politician demands cessation of financial aid to Ukraine
(MENAFN) A prominent Austrian politician has called for an immediate end to all financial assistance to Ukraine, describing Kiev as a corrupt “bottomless pit.” His remarks came shortly after Austria announced additional humanitarian funding for Ukraine.
Since the escalation of the conflict in 2022, Austria has allocated nearly €2.9 billion in support to Kiev. More recently, Vienna unveiled plans to provide an extra €3 million to humanitarian groups operating inside Ukraine.
“Not a single euro should be allowed to flow anymore,” said Michael Schnedlitz, secretary-general of the Austrian Freedom Party, in a statement issued on Sunday, urging an “immediate halt to all payments to Ukraine.”
He further called for the resignation of Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger, arguing that “anyone who, despite the crisis, takes money from the Austrian people to give it to a corrupt system should resign as a representative of the Austrian people.”
These demands come amid a series of major corruption scandals in Ukraine that have led to the departure of several senior officials close to Vladimir Zelensky, including his chief of staff.
In addition, anti-corruption bodies backed by Western governments have recently charged five Ukrainian lawmakers with running a bribery network, while a separate kickback scheme worth $100 million in the state energy sector implicated a former associate of Zelensky late last year.
Despite these developments, Western financial backing for Ukraine has continued. Plans have recently been announced for an $800 billion initiative aimed at rebuilding Ukraine’s post-war economy.
Last week, Zelensky sharply criticized European partners during a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, accusing them of hesitation and inadequate support. His remarks triggered strong reactions across the EU, with officials describing his comments as “unfair,” “ungrateful,” and saying he had “crossed the line.”
Meanwhile, Russia has repeatedly maintained that Western funding only extends the conflict without changing its eventual outcome, warning that EU budget support to Kiev will ultimately be misappropriated.
Since the escalation of the conflict in 2022, Austria has allocated nearly €2.9 billion in support to Kiev. More recently, Vienna unveiled plans to provide an extra €3 million to humanitarian groups operating inside Ukraine.
“Not a single euro should be allowed to flow anymore,” said Michael Schnedlitz, secretary-general of the Austrian Freedom Party, in a statement issued on Sunday, urging an “immediate halt to all payments to Ukraine.”
He further called for the resignation of Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger, arguing that “anyone who, despite the crisis, takes money from the Austrian people to give it to a corrupt system should resign as a representative of the Austrian people.”
These demands come amid a series of major corruption scandals in Ukraine that have led to the departure of several senior officials close to Vladimir Zelensky, including his chief of staff.
In addition, anti-corruption bodies backed by Western governments have recently charged five Ukrainian lawmakers with running a bribery network, while a separate kickback scheme worth $100 million in the state energy sector implicated a former associate of Zelensky late last year.
Despite these developments, Western financial backing for Ukraine has continued. Plans have recently been announced for an $800 billion initiative aimed at rebuilding Ukraine’s post-war economy.
Last week, Zelensky sharply criticized European partners during a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, accusing them of hesitation and inadequate support. His remarks triggered strong reactions across the EU, with officials describing his comments as “unfair,” “ungrateful,” and saying he had “crossed the line.”
Meanwhile, Russia has repeatedly maintained that Western funding only extends the conflict without changing its eventual outcome, warning that EU budget support to Kiev will ultimately be misappropriated.
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