Zelensky visits Austria, to meet Trump at G7 meeting in Canada

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, on Monday, visited Austria, anticipated to be welcomed with military honours by President Alexander Van der Bellen, the government in Vienna said.

Zelensky is scheduled to travel to Canada for the G7 meeting where he is expected to meet with President Donald Trump of the United States.

After talks and a press conference with Van der Bellen, Zelensky is scheduled to meet Chancellor Christian Stocker.

It is Zelensky’s first visit to Austria since the start of Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine in Feb 2022.

While Austria is not a NATO member and considers itself militarily neutral, it did not claim political neutrality.

Austria has mobilised around 300 million euros (347 million dollars) in bilateral financial and humanitarian aid for Ukraine and affected neighbouring countries, according to the Foreign Ministry.

The far-right Freedom Party, known for its pro-Russian stance, criticised Zelensky’s visit, calling it a violation of Austria’s neutrality.

After his stop in Austria, Zelensky would travel to the G7 summit in Canada, where a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump is planned. (Dpa/NAN)