Hostilities in EU-Russia relations are not beneficial for either party, and Austrian citizens understand that, Hannes Hofbauer said during a presentation of his book, titled “Russia: image of the enemy. History of demonization.”
“Most people in Austria want to have better relations with Russia. If there was a referendum in Austria now, the majority would vote for the withdrawal of sanctions,” the writer said.
READ MORE: Austrian Vice-Chancellor Calls for Lifting Anti-Russian Sanctions
According to Hofbauer, there is a big paradox in this regard, as political elites criticize Russia, but ordinary citizens don’t.
“Mass media, many politicians are critical of Russia, even hostile to it, while large and medium-sized businesses as well as ordinary citizens do not understand this position at all and are inclined to have good relations with Russia,” Hofbauer said.
Conflict is Avoidable
Hofbauer doesn’t believe that hostile relations between Russia and the West are inevitable and thinks that they are a result of interests of various political groups.
“There have been such situations before — the boycott of the Olympic Games, then the US president did not come, the German chancellor did not come, the laws on sexual minorities were perceived negatively,” Hofbauer explained.
READ MORE: Austrian Politician on EU-Russia Sanctions: 'The Negative Circle Must Be Broken'
According to the author, the current situation in Europe is very “dangerous.”
"It is related to the fact that the West has a completely wrong perception of the crisis in Ukraine, namely that Russia is responsible for everything that happens in Ukraine, but without any evidence," he said.
"The EU, particularly Poland and Sweden, and to some extent Germany, bear the blame, especially when the Americans took control over the Maidan events. The driving force in the Ukrainian crisis was, in my opinion, the EU, and the US took on spiritual leadership in late February," Hofbauer concluded.
A number of Austrian officials, including Kurz, have repeatedly called for a reduction of tensions between Moscow and the Western countries, stressing the country's readiness to act as a mediator between the East and the West.
