Kremlin backs hard-right Austrian to join state oil giant

THE Russian government has nominated Austria’s hard-right former foreign minister, who was pictured dancing with Vladimir Putin at her wedding, for a seat on the board of state oil giant Rosneft.

Karin Kneissl, 56, leader of the prorussian FPÖ party, joins the ranks of Kremlin lobbyists on the firm that is under EU and US sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2014.

Shareholders at Rosneft, run by one of Mr Putin’s closest friends Igor Sechin, will vote on Mrs Kneissl’s nomination at their general meeting.

If approved, she will join former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, who has served as chairman of the board and independent director since 2017.

Mr Schröder is reportedly paid around £516,800 a year, according to German media. He is now the chairman of the board of directors of the company, but his close ties with the Kremlin have raised criticism in Germany.

While Russia reduced its stake in Rosneft, the country’s largest crude producer, to just over 40 per cent last year, it remains the largest shareholder, which means its nominees are likely to be approved.

While foreign minister, Mrs Kneissl hosted Mr Putin at her 2018 wedding, dancing with the Russian president at the ceremony.

Mr Putin presented the newlyweds with a painting and a Russian samovar, a traditional kettle to brew tea.

The president made a toast in German, expressing gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to visit Austria before dancing with the bride.

Since leaving government the following year, Mrs Kneissl has contributed commentaries to the Kremlin-funded RT news network. She did not respond to a request for comment through her website on Wednesday. It is unclear how much Mrs Kneissl will earn at Rosneft.

Russian state media on Tuesday described the move as a crude recruitment of a “respected European politician”.