Relationship dossier
Austria
Russia
Relationship assessment
Energy ties and diplomatic engagement have given way to sharper tensions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Austria toward Russia
-35Austria has condemned Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and implemented EU sanctions against Russia. It has also maintained diplomatic engagement with Moscow and continued to adhere to military neutrality.
Russia toward Austria
-40Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its use of gas supply disruptions have strained relations with Austria, which had relied heavily on Russian gas. In 2023, Russia ordered the expulsion of Austrian diplomats.
Overall relationship
-35The relationship has combined substantial energy ties and diplomatic engagement with a sharp deterioration following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Austria’s participation in EU sanctions and Russia’s gas supply disruptions and expulsion of Austrian diplomats are major sources of friction.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Austria and Russia maintained significant energy and diplomatic ties, but Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine sharply worsened relations. Austria has supported EU sanctions and condemned the invasion while retaining its policy of military neutrality. Russia has used its energy relationship with Austria as a source of leverage, and diplomatic expulsions have added to tensions.
Areas of tension
- Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Austria’s support for EU sanctions
- Russian gas supply disruptions and Austria’s reliance on Russian energy
- Russia’s expulsion of Austrian diplomats in 2023
Key developments
Austria joined EU sanctions imposed on Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Russia ordered the expulsion of Austrian diplomats.
Russian gas supply disruptions strained Austria’s energy relationship with Russia.
Major uncertainties
- The long-term scope of Austrian energy ties with Russia remains uncertain.
- The extent of future diplomatic engagement between the governments is unclear.