Austria's pro-Russian ex-minister flies ponies to Russia on military plane to join think tank

Karin Kneissl, Austria's pro-Russian ex-foreign minister, is moving to St. Petersburg with her two ponies.
The ponies were flown from Syria to Russia on a military plane as sanctions prevented commercial transport.
Kneissl was appointed by Austria's far-right Freedom Party, known for Russia ties. She danced with Putin at her 2018 wedding.
Kneissl will run a think tank at St. Petersburg University. She has worked for Russian state media and a state oil company.
Austria's far-right Freedom Party remains close to Russia despite the Ukraine war. Its leader opposes sanctions on Moscow.

bbc.com

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9/12/2023

Former Austrian minister criticized for ties to Putin takes role leading Russian think tank

Former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl, known for her close links to Vladimir Putin, will lead a think tank in St. Petersburg that aims to provide objective analysis for Russia’s policy objectives.