Austria denies accepting Russian diplomats expelled from other European countries for spying and confirms firm stance against espionage on its territory.

On August 1, 2024, Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg denied media claims that Austria has accepted dozens of Russian diplomats expelled by other European countries on espionage suspicions. He emphasized that European countries exchange lists of expelled diplomats and Austria maintains a clear position against espionage activities. Schallenberg confirmed that 11 Russian diplomats were expelled from Austria during his tenure, with the first expulsion occurring in 2020. Despite Western intelligence reports labeling Vienna a hub for Russian espionage, including involvement in murder, sabotage, recruitment, and industrial espionage, Austria rejects allegations of accepting expelled Russian spies and cautions about Vienna’s prominence due to hosting many international organizations.