Former Austrian Minister Karin Kneissl has become embroiled in a scandal over her move to Russia
Former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl has found herself at the center of a new scandal following critical remarks about her country. While living in luxurious “exile” in Russia, she called Austria a “hyena” and said she was not surprised that “Hitler came from Austria.”
This is reported by the publication Heute.
According to journalists, there are already calls in Vienna to strip Kneissl of her citizenship due to such remarks. Western intelligence reports indicate that her move to Russia was personally organized by the Kremlin with the involvement of military aviation. This is not surprising, experts note, as Kneissl was previously a member of the board of directors and an independent director at Rosneft.
The move resembled a special operation: according to intelligence reports, Anton Vain, head of the Russian president’s administration, was involved in organizing the flight, and Kneissl herself flew via the Khmeimim airbase in Syria on an Il-76 military aircraft. On board with her were her ponies—Samsum and Daphne.
“My animals and I were welcomed there like close relatives,” journalists quote Kneissl’s letter to the Kremlin. The former minister claimed she left Austria due to death threats. Her dancing with Vladimir Putin at her own wedding also turned into a scandal. She did not take her husband to Russia—the marriage had ended earlier.
Knaisl now lives a luxurious life in the village of Giblitsy near Moscow. She has a wooden house, a stable, and animal enclosures. Russian sources report that her monthly income is around 18,000 euros. Putin even appointed her as commissioner for the Amur tiger, which, according to experts, indicates the dictator’s personal patronage.
Journalists note that Kneissl carefully selected her new home, rejecting 20 options before finding the perfect one.
Earlier, former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl, who moved to Russia, expressed gratitude for being able to work in this country “under conditions of academic freedom” and called dictator Vladimir Putin “the smartest gentleman” she had ever met.
Former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl also came under pressure due to her derogatory remarks about the country. After she publicly compared Austrians to “hyenas,” the NEOS party initiated proceedings to strip her of her Austrian citizenship.
