The impact of the war in Ukraine on changing Russia-Austria relations

Objectives: The article considers the changes that occurred in bilateral relations between Russia and Austria in the period before and after the start of the military invasion of Ukraine in February 2014. Austria, as the subject of the study, was chosen because of its peculiarities as a perpetually neutral country and state - member of the European Union. The country to shape its bilateral relations with Russia in a particular way, which has changed since the beginning of military operations in Ukraine. Methods: The analysis and synthesis of knowledge, the case study method, the hard and soft power theory of Joseph Nye, a method of observing current political and military events. Results: 1. Until the conflict with Ukraine, which took the form of war in February 2022, relations between Russia and Austria were friendly, based on mutual benefits. 2. The Austrian government to take an unambiguous stance towards the conflict and to stand in solidarity with other EU countries. 3. The bilateral relations to rapidly weaken and deteriorate, which can be seen in the public statements of Russian politicians. Conclusions: Austria played a special role in bilateral and multilateral contacts in the international environment. Russian sought to influence Austria through diplomatic, informational and economic means. By publicly condemning the armed invasion in Ukraine and accepting the sanctions imposed on Russia by EU countries, Austria received a harsh reaction from Russia in the diplomatic forum. In the long run, this may dramatically change the arrangement of mutual relations between the two countries.