“Ukraine: War and War Crimes” – International Symposium in Vienna
On 22 September 2026, the Ceremonial Hall of Vienna City Hall hosted the international symposium “Ukraine: War and War Crimes.” The event addressed Russia’s war against Ukraine, war crimes, international law and accountability, as well as Ukraine’s future in Europe.
The symposium brought together diplomats, academics, military experts and international law specialists to discuss the historical background and current state of the war, Russian hybrid warfare and disinformation, as well as mechanisms of international accountability, special tribunals, sanctions and reparations.
Participants included Thomas Mühlmann from the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, Alfred F. Praus, President of the Ukrainian-Austrian Association, Martin Eichtinger, Director of the Vienna School of International Studies, and Rainhard Kloucek, President of the Paneuropean Movement Austria.
The first panel addressed the causes, current state and outlook of the war in Ukraine, bringing together Wolfgang Mueller from the University of Vienna, Austrian Armed Forces Colonel Markus Reisner, and Dietmar Pichler, Head Analyst at the INVED Institute for the Defense of European Democracies.
A second panel focused on war crimes, special tribunals and reparations. Speakers included Andreas Sauermoser from the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights and Jörg Polakiewicz, former Director of Legal Advice and Public International Law at the Council of Europe.
The symposium concluded with a musical performance by Ukrainian soprano Susanna Chakhoian, soloist of the National Opera of Ukraine.
The symposium was organised by the Ukrainian-Austrian Association (UAA) in partnership with the Vienna School of International Studies, Paneuropean Movement Austria and the University of Vienna, in cooperation with Ukraine Office Austria.
Couldn’t join the symposium live? A recording of the event is available online via the University of Vienna. Watch the recording of “Ukraine: War and War Crimes”