After the End of the War: Austria Wants to Keep Option for Russian Gas Open

At the same time, the currently planned import ban on gas from Russia is correct and is also supported and implemented by Austria, according to a statement from the State Secretariat for Energy in the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

"In the struggle for peace, the proposed ban on the import of Russian gas to Europe is an unequivocal and correct signal against Putin's war of aggression and for a unified European foreign and energy policy," the statement said. However, "in the long term, the EU should keep options open to reassess the situation after the end of the war, in order to ensure a secure and cost-efficient energy supply in the future." Europe must consistently diversify its sources and not become dependent on a few countries. Developments in the Middle East should also be closely monitored.

The majority of EU countries are currently advocating for permanent independence from Russian gas imports. Only Hungary and Slovakia have so far spoken in favor of resuming Russian gas imports after the end of the war.

Exit from Russian Gas: EU Commission Proposals in the Afternoon

This Tuesday afternoon, the EU Commission plans to present its proposals for an exit from Russian gas. Austria still has many open questions in this context, according to the release. These include whether the necessary infrastructure will actually be ready by the end of 2027, what impact an import ban would have on electricity and gas prices, how it will be ensured that the origin of the gas is traceable without gaps, or what options the EU will have after a possible end to the war. A final assessment of the REPowerEU Roadmap, which is to be presented today, can therefore only be made after the EU Commission's legislative proposal is available.

Economics Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (ÖVP) also wants to keep all options open for the time after the war. "Several countries have already announced concerns for various reasons. Spain, Belgium, France, Hungary, Slovakia, and also Austria, because I am firmly convinced that we must avoid dependencies and therefore keep all options open when the war is over or if there is a change of power in Russia," Hattmannsdorfer said at a press conference on Tuesday. However, he stands unconditionally by Ukraine's side, and peace can only be achieved "with the involvement of Ukraine and in agreement with Ukraine." At the same time, stable energy prices must always be a focus for Austria. Hattmannsdorfer had expressed similar views in May.

NEOS Happy About Independence, Criticism from the Greens

The NEOS responded coolly to the ÖVP approach to keep all options open for energy supply, including Russian gas, after the end of the war. "NEOS are committed to phasing out Russian gas by 2027," writes energy spokesperson Karin Doppelbauer. "In terms of raw material security, it is commendable that Austria was able to become independent from Russia." The goal of the federal government is to expand electrification. "Both from a security and environmental policy perspective, a relapse into old dependencies does not represent a future strategy," said Doppelbauer.

Harsh criticism, however, came from the Greens. That "positive signals for renewed gas imports in the future" are coming from Minister of Economic Affairs Hattmannsdorfer is "a security and energy policy ghost ride that embarrasses Austria at the EU level," writes the designated Green leader Leonore Gewessler. With this, "Hattmannsdorfer stabs European unity in the back" and "aligns himself with Viktor Orbán and the Slovak government," says Gewessler.

FPÖ MEPs in favor, other MPs against

Among the Austrian Members of the European Parliament, only Petra Steger (FPÖ) considered the Zehetner initiative a good idea on Tuesday morning. Perhaps this could serve as an incentive for Russia "to make peace sooner. Should peace then exist, the debate is of course open again," said the EU MP in a conversation with Austrian media.

Anna Stürgkh (NEOS), on the other hand, pointed out that Russia has regularly used its gas supplies as a strategic tool. "We cannot continue to expose ourselves to this." Austria should refrain from such statements while at the same time, for example, in the Baltic States or in Poland, preparations for war are increasing "because they are afraid of being attacked." Andreas Schieder, leader of the Austrian SP MPs in the European Parliament, also considered it "not sensible to say that we want to turn back the clock. The motto must be: With full force out of Russian gas."

While the ÖVP faction still wanted to gather information, Lena Schilling (Greens) stated, "it would be a political scandal if a representative of the federal government seriously demands that Russian gas should be purchased again after the war." This would amount to trivializing "Putin's policy of violence": "This attitude is short-sighted in terms of energy policy, morally irresponsible, and dangerous in terms of security policy."

(APA/Red)

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