In Austria, the far-right FPÖ leader dismissed pro-Russian sentiments, labeling the war as a "meaningless bloodshed."

He stated this during the New Year's party meeting, as reported by Der Standard.

The pro-Russian stance of FPÖ is often highlighted by experts and other political parties in the country; however, Kickl emphasized: “There is no closeness to Russia, but rather a closeness to neutrality.”

At the same time, he asserted that the party advocates for “ending the senseless bloodshed,” referring to Russia's war against Ukraine. The politician is also convinced that peace and prosperity would arise if there were economic ties between Austria and Russia.

About the "Austrian Freedom Party"

This is a right-wing populist and national-conservative political party in Austria. Until 2014, it collaborated with the All-Ukrainian Union "Svoboda," but after the Russian annexation of Crimea, FPÖ sided with Russia.

In general, the cooperation of the "Austrian Freedom Party" with Russians began at least as early as 2008. In 2016, the party leadership signed an official agreement on "cooperation and collaboration" with the Kremlin's "United Russia."

In June 2024, FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl, along with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, announced a new right-wing political formation — "Patriots of Europe." The politicians promised to “bring the future back to the European people.”

By September, FPÖ won the elections to their country's parliament. As predicted by Politico, the party's victory would create a populist, Russia-friendly Central European bloc, stretching from the border of Ukraine with Slovakia and Hungary to the border of Austria with Switzerland.