A Discussion with Austrian MEP Helmut Brandstätter in Brussels
Earlier this year, Austrian MEP Helmut Brandstätter visited several Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Uzhgorod, Lviv, and Bucha, as part of a parliamentary friendship group. Moved by the experiences, he shared insights with The European Times.
Back in Austria, he addressed the Parliament, stating:
“We witnessed the resilience and determination of the people. They understand that losing this war means living under Putin’s dictatorship. They mentioned Holodomor from 90 years ago, where the goal was death by starvation. Today, people fear death by freezing, a goal Putin wishes to complete.”
Ukrainian MP Ina Sovsun emphasized, “This must not be repeated, 90 years later.”
Helmut Brandstätter remains committed to aiding Ukraine.
Humanitarian Support for Ukraine
Q.: What humanitarian aid has Austria provided to Ukraine?
Austria contributes 2.8% of the EU’s GDP to aid Ukraine. Since Russia’s war began in February 2022, Austria has committed nearly €300 million in bilateral aid, encompassing direct humanitarian efforts and in-kind contributions by 2025.
Through the Red Cross, Austria deploys mobile health units and emergency vehicles to support isolated elderly individuals in villages. Caritas assists disabled people and trains teachers to address trauma in children. Austrian NGOs operate social centers offering heated spaces, recreational activities, psycho-social support, and legal assistance, partnering with organizations like UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNHCR. Generators, emergency vehicles, school buses, firetrucks, and more are delivered with support from various sectors.
Additional Information:
The assistance program includes approximately €117 million in humanitarian aid, €8 million in civil protection in-kind aid, and €146-147 million for maintaining essential services. In February 2022, Austria allocated an extra €15 million for humanitarian needs. By June 2024, another €10 million was given to NGOs active in Ukraine and Moldova. In November 2024, an additional €8 million was dedicated to humanitarian demining and aid organizations like ICRC and UNICEF.
City Partnerships for Direct Aid
Q.: How can Austrians be made aware of the need for aid to Ukraine?
Engaging Austrians in direct contact with Ukrainians needing help is vital. Building on existing EU-Ukrainian city partnerships and creating new ones is key. In Vienna, numerous truck convoys have been sent with relief supplies. In October 2024, the 70th truck delivered 40 hospital beds and 71 mattresses from Vienna to Podilsk. Since the war began, Vienna has delivered over 425 tons of supplies, plus €50,000 in financial aid.
Other Austrian cities also support Ukraine through partnerships: Graz with Lviv, Linz with Dnipro, Salzburg with Kharkiv, and Innsbruck with Ivano-Frankivsk. It is crucial for Austrians to recognize the ongoing war nearby and the existential struggle of Ukrainians, who act as a shield. Supporting them is essential for the future of EU democracies. Direct involvement in solidarity projects helps citizens understand the gravity of the situation and the importance of political decisions.
Austria and Ukraine have several sister city partnerships fostering cultural exchange and mutual support. Similar initiatives can offer life-saving assistance. A project like “Twin your city with a Ukrainian city” is crucial for Ukraine’s EU membership journey, akin to the “Save Romanian villages” project from the 1980s.
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