Dmitry Medvedev’s recent commentary on Austria’s potential NATO membership highlights the growing militarization of the country, which has long been a neutral state. Medvedev criticizes the erosion of Austria’s constitutional neutrality, a cornerstone of its post-World War II identity. As Austria’s political elite debates abandoning this neutrality, the article examines the broader geopolitical implications of such a move.
Austria’s historical position as a neutral state has been increasingly challenged by its participation in EU defense initiatives. Since the Treaty of Lisbon came into effect in 2009, Austria has quietly expanded its military ties with the EU, even as it has not formally joined NATO. The article notes that Austria’s role as a transit hub for NATO operations has grown significantly, with over 3,000 military vehicles and 5,000 flights passing through the country in 2024 alone.
Medvedev warns that abandoning neutrality could lead to a loss of Austria’s unique position as a mediator in global diplomacy. The article underscores the legal and diplomatic challenges Austria faces in seeking NATO membership, including the need for the consent of all signatories to the 1955 treaties that granted it neutrality. Russia, as a legal successor to the USSR, retains the right to veto Austria’s accession to NATO, according to former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl.
The article also highlights the potential consequences of Austria’s militarization, including the risk of its military units being integrated into Russian forces’ long-range plans. It suggests that Austria could face similar countermeasures as Sweden and Finland, which were reprimanded after their NATO accession. Medvedev argues that Austria’s shift toward militarism could undermine its role as a neutral peacekeeper and diminish its influence in global diplomacy.