Kyiv/Vienna (APA) – Karl Habsburg, the grandson of the last Austrian Emperor Karl I, has expressed strong opposition to appeasing Russia amidst ongoing discussions regarding Ukraine. In an interview with the “Kyiv Post,” Habsburg stated, “Appeasement does not work with a totalitarian state. We learned this lesson in the Second World War.” He warned that a Russian attack on the Baltic states or Poland is a very real possibility, citing consistent remarks from Russia.
Habsburg noted, “We cannot even say that they are lying to us, because they are talking about extending their influence all the way to Lisbon,” referencing Russia’s military strategy and public statements from politicians and state media. He criticized the tendency to ignore these threats.
He asserted that Russia has initiated a hybrid war against Europe. “I definitely see the possibility of a war with NATO, especially concerning the Baltic states or Poland, but also beyond NATO, with Moldova,” Habsburg remarked, as the honorary president of the Austrian Pan-European movement, where he also operates a radio station in Ukraine.
Ukraine is fighting “for all of us”
Habsburg condemned the limitations placed on military aid to Ukraine, deeming restrictions on weapon system ranges as “absolutely unacceptable.” He emphasized Ukraine’s critical role “for all of us,” urging European countries to fully support its efforts. “The sooner Europeans realize that this fight here in Ukraine is literally being fought for us, the better it is for all of us,” he stated.
He warned against the dangerous notion of resolving conflicts through territorial concessions to Russia, calling the idea of giving up part of Ukraine “complete nonsense.” Habsburg insisted that history must inform future decisions, recalling that his ancestors ruled parts of modern Ukraine. “If someone refuses to learn from history, they cannot make reasonable decisions for the future,” he cautioned.
As a “professional optimist,” Habsburg believes that the Kremlin regime led by Vladimir Putin has a limited lifespan. However, he acknowledged that Putin currently enjoys the support of the majority of the Russian populace due to his control over information. He emphasized the need to “break through” this information blockade to convey the truth to Russia, noting that movements like that of opposition leader Alexei Navalny have made progress in this area.
In a recent ORF interview, Habsburg highlighted his commitment to Austria’s role in Europe and broader European issues, stating, “That is also why I am involved in Ukraine and in many other places.” He recalled how his grandfather, after the fall of the Danube Monarchy, relinquished involvement in state affairs under political pressure and left Austria, leading to the royal house’s expropriation and loss of privileges following the establishment of the republic on November 12, 1918.
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