One reason that [Austria’s former foreign minister Karin] Kneissl’s story is so embarrassing for Austria is that it draws attention to the country’s long-term, highly lucrative relationship with Russia – which, even three years after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, remains closer than many outsiders might expect. The Alpine nation of 9 million, whose constitution commits it to neutrality in international affairs, likes to see itself as a mediator between east and west. To critics, this is an excuse for pursuing its own self-interest. “They do not understand why they should change anything, because everything works perfectly for them,” said Anton Shekhovtsov, director of the Centre for Democratic Integrity in Austria, which monitors the influence of authoritarian countries. “They are waiting for the war to end to go back to business as usual with the Russians.” While Austria has backed the EU’s sanctions, Russia remains its second largest supplier of foreign direct investment, according to data from 2024. Austrian enterprises, such as Raiffeisen Bank International, have only recently begun to reduce their operations in Russia, lagging behind competitors such as the UK’s HSBC and France’s Société Générale, who swiftly exited the Russian market in response to the invasion.