**Austria Offers to Host Ukraine Peace Talks**
Austria is willing to host peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, according to Austrian Ambassador to Ukraine Arad Benko. This comes as the US-led peace talks to stop Russia’s war against Ukraine are being planned.
Benko said that Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer emphasized that Vienna, the capital of a neutral country, is ready to host future peace talks. Austria has a history of hosting opposing sides for talks, including leaders from the US and Soviet Union during the Cold War.
Austria is a permanently neutral nation under its constitution. It hosts various international agencies, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Benko added that Ukraine and the European Union must be involved in the peace talks alongside Russia and the US. He echoed the sentiment in Europe that the US should not exclude Europe and Ukraine from peace talks.
Europe must participate in potential peace talks because Ukraine is a European country fighting for our values and freedom, Benko said.
Austrian Chancellor Nehammer previously proposed Vienna as a site of talks between Kyiv and Moscow in September 2024. He reiterated the offer in a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky in December.
Other countries that have volunteered to host future peace talks include Turkey, China, and Saudi Arabia. US and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia on February 18 for preliminary talks without the participation of Ukraine or Europe.