Austria’s Freedom Party has demanded the return of billions of euros in aid sent to Ukraine, arguing taxpayers deserve answers over how the money was spent.
The Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), which is currently leading the polls, says total Austrian support—including Vienna’s share of EU-wide assistance—amounts to €3.26 billion by 2025, citing figures from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.
The Foreign Ministry, led by Beate Meinl-Reisinger, said more than €347 million in direct state financial and humanitarian aid has been provided since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
FPÖ Secretary General Michael Schnedlitz accused the government of misusing “hard-earned tax money” while living costs rise at home. He called for an immediate halt to payments and said Austria should seek reimbursement if Kyiv fails to clarify how funds were used, citing concerns about corruption.
