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Kurz advocates neutrality for Ukraine

The Local Austria
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Kurz advocates neutrality for Ukraine
Foreign and Integration Minister Sebastian Kurz. Photo: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH

Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz says that neutrality could work for Ukraine as a long-term solution.

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"In the short term, there are two priorities: peace and a ceasefire, and humanitarian aid for all the people affected in the east of Ukraine," said Kurz according to the German newspaper "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" on Saturday. However, it was also important to work on a long-term solution as well.

There was also no question, said Kurz, that Russia had violated international law by annexing the Crimean peninsula.

Any form of support for the separatists, either from Russia or from arms supplies, needed to stop immediately, said the Austrian minister. This was why the sanctions against Russia were necessary.

"But we must not only think about the politics of today, but the politics of the day after tomorrow," he warned. Kurz added that while it was important not to give in to Russian President Vladimir Putin, it was also important not to give up on Russia.

Ukraine should not be pushed into an either-or decision between Russia and the EU, said the Austrian minister. "It is obviously Ukraine's decision, but I think that neutrality (...) in the military sector would be a [solution]." It had worked well for Austria, he added.

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