Former Austrian foreign minister, Karin Kneissl, has recently made headlines after announcing her move to St. Petersburg to establish a new think tank. Kneissl, known for her controversial wedding invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2018, shared the news on the messaging app Telegram.
In addition to her move, Kneissl revealed that her ponies, previously located in Syria, have been successfully transported to Russia via a Russian military plane. The former foreign minister faced criticism during her time in office for her pro-Russia views and affiliation with the right-wing Freedom Party.
Kneissl’s decision to relocate follows her earlier move from Marseille to Beirut in June 2022, prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Despite the challenges associated with the move, including transferring her belongings such as books and clothes, Kneissl has already settled into an apartment she is renting in St. Petersburg.
The establishment of the Gorki center, a think tank associated with a state university in St. Petersburg, marks Kneissl’s latest venture. The think tank will focus on areas such as energy, migration, and new alliances. However, her decision to move to Russia has received backlash from critics in Austria and Germany.
In response to the criticism, Kneissl mentioned that the relocation has become a political issue and expressed her surprise at the hostility coming from Austria. Despite the controversy, she remains determined to pursue her goals and contribute to the think tank’s initiatives.
As Kneissl settles into her new home and continues her work in St. Petersburg, the former foreign minister’s move raises questions about the state of politics in Austria and Germany. With her pro-Russia stance and controversial connections, Kneissl’s actions highlight the ongoing debate surrounding diplomacy and foreign relations in these countries.
Overall, Karin Kneissl’s decision to establish a think tank in St. Petersburg and her relocation to Russia spark discussion and controversy, inviting scrutiny and criticism from political circles in Austria and Germany. As she settles into her new surroundings, it remains to be seen how her work at the Gorki center will unfold and whether it will further fuel political tensions in the region.
“Social media scholar. Reader. Zombieaholic. Hardcore music maven. Web fanatic. Coffee practitioner. Explorer.”