A sociological survey conducted in March 2026 by the research firm Active Group in collaboration with the Experts Club information and analytical center shows an overall positive trend in Ukrainians’ attitudes toward Austria. The share of positive assessments rose to 55.9% compared to 48.7% in August 2025. At the same time, the level of negative perception nearly halved—from 4.7% to 2.6%.
Despite this, a significant portion of respondents—40.3%—adopt a neutral stance. This distribution of responses indicates that for many Ukrainians, Austria remains a country without a clearly defined emotional image. At the same time, the positive segment is quite stable: 17.5% of respondents expressed a completely positive attitude, and another 38.5%—a mostly positive one.
Negative assessments remain minimal. The share of those who view Austria mostly negatively is 2.3%, and those who view it entirely negatively is only 0.2%. Another 1.2% of respondents were unable to decide on their position. This configuration of indicators suggests the absence of systematic negativity and, at the same time, a limited depth of positive perception.
The key factor in the dynamics of change is precisely the increase in positive sentiment. This may indicate a gradual strengthening of Austria’s presence in the Ukrainian information space or a clearer understanding of its role in the European context. At the same time, the persistence of a large share of neutral responses suggests that this process is not yet complete.
“The results regarding Austria clearly demonstrate how attitudes toward countries that are not at the center of Ukrainians’ daily attention are formed. We see a rise in positive sentiment, but at the same time, a significant proportion of neutral assessments remains, which indicates a lack of knowledge or experience in interaction. In such cases, the key factor becomes the country’s informational presence and clear signals regarding its role for Ukraine,” noted Oleksandr Pozniy, director of the research company Active Group.
Thus, Austria is currently perceived by Ukrainians more positively than negatively, though this perception has not yet taken on a clearly defined character. Further growth in positive assessments will largely depend on the extent to which the country is present in the Ukrainian public sphere and how clearly its role in the broader European context becomes understood.
According to a study conducted by the Experts Club information and analytical center based on data from the State Customs Service, Austria ranks 20th in total trade volume with Ukraine, which amounts to $1.33 billion. At the same time, imports from Austria exceed Ukrainian exports, resulting in a moderate trade deficit of over $200 million.
The study was presented at the Interfax-Ukraine press center; the video can be viewed on the agency’s YouTube channel. The full version of the study can be found at this link on the Experts Club analytical center’s website.
ACTIVE GROUP, AUSTRIA, EXPERTS CLUB, Pozniy, SOCIOLOGY, SURVEY, UKRAINE, URAKIN
Ukrainians’ attitude towards Austria is generally positive, but a significant proportion of respondents remain neutral. These are the results of a nationwide sociological survey conducted by Active Group in cooperation with Experts Club in August 2025.
According to the survey, 48.7% of Ukrainians expressed a positive attitude towards Austria (37.0% — mostly positive, 11.7% — completely positive). Only 4.7% of citizens demonstrated a negative attitude (4.3% — mostly negative, 0.3% — completely negative). At the same time, the largest group — 44.7% of respondents — took a neutral position, while another 2.3% said they did not have enough information about the country.
“Austria is traditionally perceived by Ukrainians as a European country with high social standards, cultural heritage, and a stable political system. Although Austria is not Ukraine’s main partner in foreign policy, the overall level of sympathy remains positive,” emphasized Active Group founder Oleksandr Pozniy.
In turn, co-founder of Experts Club Maksim Urakin drew attention to the economic component:
“In January–June 2025, the total trade volume between Ukraine and Austria amounted to over $701 million. At the same time, exports of Ukrainian goods reached $276 million, while imports from Austria amounted to about $425 million. This led to a negative balance of $148.9 million, which indicates a significant advantage of Austrian exports over Ukrainian ones,” the expert emphasized.
The survey is part of a large-scale study of Ukrainians’ international sympathies and antipathies, reflecting not only political and cultural aspects, but also economic aspects of relations with various countries.
The full video can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgC9TPnMoMI&t
You can subscribe to the Experts Club YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@ExpertsClub
ACTIVE GROUP, AUSTRIA, DIPLOMACY, EXPERTS CLUB, Pozniy, SOCIOLOGY, TRADE, URAKIN
The Austrian government has adopted a number of tough measures to regulate the rental housing market. Legislative innovations concern limiting rent growth and extending the minimum length of contracts, which caused a wave of discussion among tenants, property owners and analysts.
If inflation exceeds 3% per annum, landlords will not be able to fully pass on price increases to tenants. Their rent increase can only be half of the excess over the threshold. Example: if inflation is 4.2%, rent can only be increased by 3.6%.
The minimum lease term is increased from three to five years, making it more difficult to replace tenants to eliminate losses through new contracts.
An exception is made for family homes: one- and two-family properties are not affected by the new rules.
For buildings built before 1945, the rules are even tougher:
– In 2025, rents for such houses/apartments cannot be raised at all;
– in 2026, a maximum of 1%;
– in 2027 by a maximum of 2%.
In Vienna, for example, for such buildings there are already legislated maximum rents of around €6.67/m², with a number of surcharges and discounts, but often the final rent barely exceeds €10/m². Economists warn: such measures may curb rental growth, but at the same time reduce the incentive for owners to rent, potentially leading to a shortage of supply (compare with the experience of Berlin).
According to Statistics Austria and other reliable sources, as of January 1, 2025, there are about 1,855,419 people with foreign citizenship living in Austria.
The largest groups of foreign nationals are: Germany (~239,500), Romania (~155,700), Turkey (~124,000), Serbia (~123,000), Ukraine (~100,000). In 2024, the share of people with a migration background is 27.8 % of the Austrian population. This includes those born abroad and their descendants.
Austria will allocate EUR5 million to Ukraine for demining of agricultural land and EUR2 million to support the Grain from Ukraine program as Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger visits Kyiv on Friday, Die Presse reports.
“For Meinl-Reisinger, the trip to Kyiv is “the first real trip abroad” in her new position, as the Brussels she visited last week is not really a visit to another country for her,” the newspaper writes.
The European media outlet added that the Austrian foreign minister’s luggage included a check for EUR5 million to help clear agricultural land of mines and EUR2 million to supply Ukrainian grain to Middle Eastern countries in need.
As reported, Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger arrived in Kyiv on Friday. Immediately after her arrival, she and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga laid flowers at the wall of memory of the fallen Ukrainian soldiers.
The program of Meinl-Reisinger’s visit includes a meeting with the Ukrainian leadership, in particular with Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal.
Austria will allocate EUR5 million to Ukraine for farmland clearance and EUR2 million to support the Grain from Ukraine program amid a visit by Austrian Foreign Ministry chief Beate Meinl-Reisinger to Kiev on Friday, Die Presse reported.
“For Meinl-Reisinger, the trip to Kiev is the ‘first real trip abroad’ in her new position, as Brussels, which she visited last week, is not really a visit to another country for her,” the publication wrote.
The European media outlet added that the Austrian foreign minister’s luggage includes a check for EUR5m to help demining agricultural land and EUR2m to supply Ukrainian grain to Middle Eastern countries that need it.
Austria has supported the Grain from Ukraine food initiative by contributing EUR2 million, the press service of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food reports.
According to the report, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Vitaliy Koval discussed cooperation in the agricultural sector and the development of trade relations with Austrian Ambassador to Ukraine Arad Benkö. He also thanked the Austrian partners for their contribution to the Grain From Ukraine initiative of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“This is an additional €2 million for food security, which is an important step in supporting countries suffering from hunger,” he said.
The Minister emphasized that European integration is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and spoke about the steps already taken on the way to the EU. In particular, the parties discussed the need to work together at the European Commission level to ensure unimpeded exports of Ukrainian agricultural products.
“Austria remains an important trading partner of Ukraine: in 2024, bilateral trade in food and agricultural products amounted to $210 million. Ukraine exported mainly corn, fruit and vegetable juices, soybeans, sunflower oil, as well as frozen fruits and nuts. Instead, it imported chocolate and cocoa products, ready-made sauces, animal feed, corn, and mineral and carbonated waters from Austria,” Koval explained.
The Minister also suggested considering a mechanism to insure agricultural trade operations between Ukraine and Austria against military risks.
