https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Austria in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Frightened by the prospect of US security disengagement and three years of Moscow's war against Ukraine, European countries are debating reinstating compulsory military service to boost their defences in the face of Russian aggression. https://www.thelocal.at/20250316/spurred-by-trump-turnabout-european-nations-debate-conscription Sun, 16 Mar 2025 10:12:09 +0100 spurred-by-trump-turnabout-european-nations-debate-conscription Relations between the United States and Europe have historically had their ups and downs, but a storm has now blown up as a result of Washington's recent strategic shift. Will it blow through or get more intense? https://www.thelocal.at/20250307/are-europes-ties-with-united-states-set-to-worsen Fri, 07 Mar 2025 10:25:32 +0100 are-europes-ties-with-united-states-set-to-worsen EU chief Ursula von der Leyen Tuesday presented a five-part plan to mobilise some €800 billion for Europe's defence -- and help provide "immediate" military support for Ukraine after the US suspended aid. https://www.thelocal.at/20250304/a-new-era-is-upon-us-eu-unveils-e800-billion-plan-to-rearm-europe Tue, 04 Mar 2025 11:51:42 +0100 a-new-era-is-upon-us-eu-unveils-e800-billion-plan-to-rearm-europe EU countries on Wednesday agreed a new round of sanctions on Russia as the bloc looks to keep up pressure in the face of US talks with Russia. France will host a new Ukraine summit, the president announced. https://www.thelocal.at/20250219/eu-keeps-up-pressure-on-russia-with-new-sanctions Wed, 19 Feb 2025 11:59:36 +0100 eu-keeps-up-pressure-on-russia-with-new-sanctions European leaders have been left in shock after the US sidelined them in its bid to bring peace to Ukraine and suggested it would no longer guarantee the continent's security, but will they now take action? https://www.thelocal.at/20250218/will-europe-match-words-with-actions-after-being-sidelined-by-trump Tue, 18 Feb 2025 13:34:43 +0100 will-europe-match-words-with-actions-after-being-sidelined-by-trump Europe's security is at a turning point, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday, as she arrived in Paris for an emergency meeting to address the US's shock policy shift on the war in Ukraine. https://www.thelocal.at/20250217/europes-security-is-at-a-turning-point-eu-leader-warns Mon, 17 Feb 2025 15:37:24 +0100 europes-security-is-at-a-turning-point-eu-leader-warns Austria's long-standing "neutral" status dictates many of its diplomacy and policies, including when it comes to its military alliances. https://www.thelocal.at/20220304/explained-why-isnt-austria-in-nato Fri, 04 Mar 2022 16:55:19 +0100 explained-why-isnt-austria-in-nato Iryna, Maryna, Katya -- three generations from one family -- fled their home in southern Ukraine for Austria just after the war started, hoping to return quickly. https://www.thelocal.at/20240212/two-years-of-war-ukrainian-refugees-face-lasting-exile-in-austria Mon, 12 Feb 2024 12:43:08 +0100 two-years-of-war-ukrainian-refugees-face-lasting-exile-in-austria The Austrian Armed Forces released its yearly risk assessment report, noting the main threats facing the country in 2024 include Russia's 'hybrid warfare' against Europe. Here's what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.at/20240129/austria-warns-russias-hybrid-warfare-against-europe-to-intensify Mon, 29 Jan 2024 18:34:15 +0100 austria-warns-russias-hybrid-warfare-against-europe-to-intensify Vienna on Thursday summoned the European Commission's envoy to Austria after he reportedly slammed the country for continuing to buy Russian gas with "blood money". https://www.thelocal.at/20230908/austrian-government-summons-eu-envoy-over-russian-gas-blood-money-comments Fri, 08 Sep 2023 11:57:50 +0200 austrian-government-summons-eu-envoy-over-russian-gas-blood-money-comments Last winter passed without major gas shortages, thanks to EU-wide actions - but the problem is far from solved for the winters to come, warns global energy specialist Professor Michael Bradshaw. https://www.thelocal.at/20230906/opinion-a-winter-energy-crunch-in-europe-looks-a-distinct-possibility Wed, 06 Sep 2023 14:16:25 +0200 opinion-a-winter-energy-crunch-in-europe-looks-a-distinct-possibility Austria and Switzerland have officially joined the air defence initiative known as "European Sky Shield," initiated by Germany, in response to the changing security situation in Europe. https://www.thelocal.at/20230708/austria-and-switzerland-join-german-led-air-defence-project Sat, 08 Jul 2023 15:15:55 +0200 austria-and-switzerland-join-german-led-air-defence-project Austria, a neutral country, announced on Saturday its intention to join the European Sky Shield initiative, launched in 2022 by Germany against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine. https://www.thelocal.at/20230702/neutral-austria-ready-to-join-germanys-euro-air-defence-project Sun, 02 Jul 2023 10:26:37 +0200 neutral-austria-ready-to-join-germanys-euro-air-defence-project Members of Austria's far-right FPÖ party walked out of parliament on Thursday in protest against a video speech by Ukrainian president Volodymir Zelenksy claiming it violated Austrian neutrality. https://www.thelocal.at/20230330/austrias-far-right-walks-out-of-zelenskys-address-to-parliament Thu, 30 Mar 2023 13:17:51 +0200 austrias-far-right-walks-out-of-zelenskys-address-to-parliament Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will make a video appearance in the Austrian parliament on Thursday - but his presence has already sparked criticism and protests. Why? https://www.thelocal.at/20230328/explained-why-has-zelenskys-speech-to-the-austrian-parliament-caused-so-much-controversy Tue, 28 Mar 2023 16:30:43 +0200 explained-why-has-zelenskys-speech-to-the-austrian-parliament-caused-so-much-controversy EU defence ministers on Wednesday discussed plans to raid their stockpiles to rush one billion euros' worth of ammunition to Ukraine and place joint orders for more to ensure supplies keep flowing. https://www.thelocal.at/20230308/eu-defence-ministers-hash-out-plan-for-sending-more-ammunition-to-ukraine Wed, 08 Mar 2023 12:34:26 +0100 eu-defence-ministers-hash-out-plan-for-sending-more-ammunition-to-ukraine Russia's invasion of Ukraine 12 months ago has left thousands dead and millions displaced. It has also brought consequences for Austria. How has the country changed and what will happen as the invasion continues? https://www.thelocal.at/20230224/four-ways-austria-has-changed-after-one-year-of-war-in-ukraine Fri, 24 Feb 2023 12:29:36 +0100 four-ways-austria-has-changed-after-one-year-of-war-in-ukraine A meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) began on Thursday in Vienna with protests over the attendance of sanctioned Russian parliamentarians. https://www.thelocal.at/20230223/protests-at-osce-meeting-in-vienna-over-russian-guests Thu, 23 Feb 2023 17:52:28 +0100 protests-at-osce-meeting-in-vienna-over-russian-guests In their first trip to the EU since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, Russian MPs are due at an international meeting in Austria on Thursday despite sanctions and a planned boycott by Kyiv. https://www.thelocal.at/20230222/austria-walks-fine-line-over-granting-visas-to-russian-mps Wed, 22 Feb 2023 17:27:08 +0100 austria-walks-fine-line-over-granting-visas-to-russian-mps "Love home," it says on the wall of the Titkovs' cozy flat in Vienna. The poster has a particular poignancy for the Ukrainian family who were forced to flee their home in Irpin in the suburbs of Kyiv nearly a year ago. https://www.thelocal.at/20230215/every-day-i-want-to-be-home-a-year-in-exile-for-an-ukraine-family-in-vienna Wed, 15 Feb 2023 11:50:34 +0100 every-day-i-want-to-be-home-a-year-in-exile-for-an-ukraine-family-in-vienna