Kneissl refuses to swap Austrian for Russian citizenship

Former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl stated that she does not intend to give up her Austrian citizenship to obtain a Russian passport, despite living in Russia and tying her future to a village in the Ryazan Region.

According to Kneissl, at 61, she does not consider it possible to radically change her identity.

«I am already 61. Do you really think that at this age I will suddenly become Russian? No. Just as I will not become French or Spanish,» she said in an interview with YA62.RU.

At the same time, the former Austrian foreign minister admitted that, internally, she feels even closer to the Arab world. She recalled that she lived in the Middle East for many years, speaks Arabic fluently, and that region has become an important part of her life.

Kneissl also said that she had serious problems with Austria — both political and legal. However, despite this, she does not intend to change citizenship.

«I am tired. And I don«t intend to change everything anew,» she emphasized.

At the same time, the former diplomat noted that she is grateful to Russia for the opportunity to live and work here. According to her, she pays taxes, invests her own funds in the development of the village, and is restoring the house with her own hands.

At the same time, Kneissl admitted that she finds it hard to accept one peculiarity of the Russian mentality: the common phrase «Everything will be fine».

«I don«t like this phrase. It»s too light. I think a person should take responsibility for their own life. You need to make plans. Without a plan, nothing will work. Yes, life often forces you to change those plans, but they must exist,» she noted.

According to Kneissl, this approach to life largely distinguishes her from many around her.