!!!Russland - Österreich

Russia - Austria: Relations between the two countries were established 
in the 16th century by Siegmund von  Herberstein, who conducted 
diplomatic missions to Russia. Relations with Tsar Ivan IV (1547-1584) 
also existed. These relations were strengthened in the 18%%sup th/%  
century when Russia, becoming a great power, endeavoured to extend its 
influence to Central Europe under Peter the Great. During the  Seven 
Years´ War (1756-1763), Austria reaped no benefits from its 
alliance with Russia, but bilateral relations became stronger when 
Poland was divided up among its neighbours in 1772. Joseph II 
reinforced diplomatic relations with Catherine II and travelled to 
Russia twice; the Russian successor to the throne, Paul, also visited 
Austria for several weeks in 1781/1782. Co-operation between the two 
nations in the Balkans increased when Austria and Russia, waged war on 
the Ottoman Empire. However, as the Christians in the Balkans were 
increasingly influenced by Russia, rivalry developed between the two 
powers.

\\
During the  Napoleonic Wars  Austria and Russia were allies in the 
second and third coalition wars; however, Austria was forced to 
provide troops for Napolean´s campaign against Russia in 1812. 
In 1813, both countries allied themselves with Prussia and defeated 
the French. At the Congress of  Vienna Austria, Prussia and Russia 
divided Poland amongst themselves once again, and the leaders of the 
three nations, Emperor Franz I of Austria, King Friedrich 
Wilhelm III of Prussia and Tsar Alexander I of Russia 
established the  Holy Alliance. In 1849 Russia helped put down the 
uprising in Hungary; however, Austria´s attitude during the 
Crimean War damaged bilateral relations which, despite numerous 
alliances, were increasingly marked by tension in the second half of 
the 19%%sup th/%  century. As a result of these tensions the 
Austro-Hungarian Monarchy declared war on Russia at the start of  
World War I. In the autumn of 1914 Russian troops took  Galicia and  
Bukovina. However, after having been driven out in May of 1915, they 
advanced once again in 1916 during the Brussilov campaign. In 1918 the 
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed, allowing the Central Powers to 
occupy a large portion of the Ukraine.

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During World War I many Austrians were held as prisoners of war in 
Russia and brought the spirit and the ideas of Russia's October 
Revolution home with them. After 1934 members of the  Republikanischer 
Schutzbund fled to the Soviet Union, but many fell victim to purges 
during the Stalin era. In  World War II numerous Austrians 
participated in the German Wehrmacht´s Russian campaign, 
especially during the siege of  Stalingrad. Towards the end of the war 
the number of fatalities and missing persons was very high. From the 
end of March 1945, Soviet troops occupied eastern Austria and a sector 
in Vienna. The government of the Second Republic of Austria, declared 
on April 27, 1945, was recognised within this zone. The Austrians in 
the Soviet-held zone felt the period of occupation to be significantly 
more oppressive than in other parts of Austria as a result of numerous 
cases of infringement of personal rights and several outright attacks, 
( USIA); however, economic relations were re-established and continued 
to exist after 1955. With reference to the Austrian  State Treaty, the 
Soviet Union later made use of its right of objection (for instance, 
when Austria intended to become a candidate for EC membership) on 
numerous occasions. Russia, as the Soviet Union´s successor, has 
also laid claim to this right. On the whole bilateral relations have 
developed along friendly lines in the last few decades, and after the 
collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, many economic and cultural 
contacts have been established on a new basis.

!Literature
H. Uebersberger, Oesterreich und Russland seit dem Ende 
des 15. Jahrhunderts, 1906; idem, Oesterreich zwischen Russland und 
Serbien, 1958; A. M. Drabek (ed.), Oesterreich und Russland zur 
Zeit der Napoleonischen Kriege, 1989; Oesterreich und die Sowjetunion 
1918-55, published by Oesterr.-sowjetische Gesellschaft, 1984.


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