Ukraine – Costa at Stocker: “Force Putin to the negotiating table”
Brussels/Vienna – EU Council President Antonio Costa and Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) jointly called for a peace solution for Ukraine. Costa said during a visit to the Chancellor last Wednesday in Vienna: “We want to force (Russia’s) President (Vladimir) Putin to the negotiating table.” Stocker, like Costa, doubted that Putin was interested in peace. Therefore, it is important to put together a 19th EU sanctions package against Russia, said the EU Council President.
“We need to prepare security guarantees”
He hoped that Europeans could soon lay security guarantees for Ukraine on the table, Costa said. “We must end the senseless killing.” He referred to the meeting of the coalition of the willing tomorrow Thursday in Paris. “We need to prepare security guarantees for Ukraine” to ensure “proper protection of Ukraine when and if peace comes.”
Stocker “not too optimistic” about peace
Austria has a clear position on the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and is in solidarity, Stocker emphasized. The priority must be to stop the dying. Unfortunately, time has shown that Putin obviously has no interest in a negotiated solution. Russia has relentlessly continued its attacks. This means that the pressure from the EU must be maintained. “At the moment, I am not too optimistic,” Stocker noted. Costa described it as “great” how Austria combines its neutrality with commitment to security and defense.
Inflation: Chancellor sees EU Commission in action
The Federal Chancellor also addressed steps against inflation at the meeting, stating that he sees the European Commission as responsible in this regard, as Stocker said. It is his endeavor to address the territorial delivery restrictions (“Austria surcharge”). This surcharge refers to territorial delivery restrictions that often mean higher prices for small countries in Europe. They exchanged views on this matter, “we will see how quickly it goes,” Stocker said. Costa stated that the best contribution against inflation would be to eliminate trade restrictions. In this context, Costa advocated for the Mercosur agreement with the South American countries. Austria already has a trade surplus with this region and could benefit even more from the agreement.
Costa wants to start debate on EU multiannual budget in December
Other topics of the visit included the EU Commission’s proposal for the EU multiannual budget 2028-2034, as well as the situation in the Western Balkans and competitiveness. Costa said he wants to start the discussion on the EU financial framework in December and conclude it by the end of 2026 to create a “smooth transition” from the EU multiannual budget expiring in 2027. The most important discussion is what the money will be spent on. Costa mentioned competitiveness, resilience, border protection, and defense as focal points. The EU must strengthen its innovative capacity.
Stocker against joint debt
Stocker reiterated that Austria is skeptical about joint debt. The repayments for the debt-financed Corona recovery fund “Next Generation EU” are now posing problems for the community. The Federal Chancellor also demanded that national consolidation efforts must be reflected at the European level. There is no question that the EU needs a robust budget. However, if national budgets are under pressure, Europe must become more efficient and targeted without increasing national EU contributions. Austria is open to new sources of EU revenue (“own resources”), although it does not prefer corporate taxes in this regard, but can imagine other forms, the Chancellor said.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the EU Commission’s proposal for the next EU multiannual budget in July. This is expected to increase significantly, from 1.211 trillion euros in the current period to two trillion euros.
Competitiveness as a foundation
Stocker called for more focus on competitiveness, which is a European issue. “If we want to secure prosperity, we must not lose time.” Economic strength is also the foundation for the fight against climate change and for security. Thus, the climate goals for 2040 must also be about competitiveness. The Chancellor again called for a reduction in bureaucracy. Especially highly innovative companies also need an environment for growth.
The Chancellor also informed Costa about his recent trip to Montenegro and Serbia. Austria is a strong supporter of EU enlargement to include the Western Balkans. “If we do not bind the region to us, others will,” Stocker warned. “Europe is still the attractive partner; the question is, for how long.”
Costa is currently on a tour of EU capitals. He came to Vienna from Croatia and will fly to Romania after the meeting with Stocker. (04.09.2025)
