Rejects ground troops

Chancellor: “We must prevent a third world war”

(Bild: Screenshot/ORF)

French President Emmanuel Macron recently caused a stir with his statement that he would also consider sending ground troops to help Ukraine. In an interview with "ZiB 2", Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer rejected this suggestion: he fears an unstoppable spiral of escalation. "We need to prevent a third world war."

After pro-Russian separatists in the breakaway region of Transnistria asked the Russian regime for help, there is great concern that the conflict could escalate. Against this backdrop, presenter Armin Wolf wanted to know from Nehammer on Wednesday evening whether, in his opinion, it makes sense to send Western soldiers to support Ukraine.

(Bild: Screenshot/ORF)

Nehammer warns against "stumbling into war"
It was a "difficult situation to act strategically", the Chancellor conceded. In his opinion, however, this measure could lead to a spiral of escalation "that can no longer be stopped". He pointed out that one could also "stumble into" wars unintentionally.

Putin at a "dead end" according to Nehammer
Rather, it is important to restore peace. Russian President Vladimir "Putin himself is at a dead end", said Nehammer, as he has not achieved any of his strategic goals. Before the war in Ukraine, NATO was not a threat, as the Kremlin leader had claimed. This is now different: the countries have rearmed and new members have joined with Sweden and Finland. The alliance is therefore much more dangerous for Russia today than it was two years ago. "It is important for Putin to think about how he can get out of this conflict."

Austria's neutrality is not up for discussion for the Chancellor - it has an 80 percent approval rating among the population and it is also a "fact that neutrality benefits us more".