Foreign relations between Russia and it's predecessors with Liechtenstein date back to the Napoleonic wars. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 January 1994.[1] Since then, relations between the two countries have been distant, with Liechtenstein condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Russia does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein, but there is a honorary consulate located in Vaduz. The Russian ambassador to Switzerland, located in Bern, is also accredited to Liechtenstein. Similarly, the Swiss embassy in Moscow also represents Liechtenstein.
Liechtenstein under Austria, Russia and Prussia was a member of the Holy Alliance, in which all three members guaranteed Liechtenstein's sovereignty in 1815.[4]
At the outbreak of the war, Russia interred Liechtensteiners and partially confiscated their assets within the country. Liechtenstein was embargoed by the Entente from 1916 to the end of the war.[11] During the war the Russian Empire collapsed, and was eventually replaced with the Soviet Union in 1922.
Liechtenstein remained neutral throughout World War II, and its neutrality was not violated by any of the combatants. The Soviet Union had been on the side of the Allies since 1941.
In the early stages of the Cold War, relations between Liechtenstein and the Soviet Union became tense due to the refusal to extradite the remnants of the First Russian National Army.[14]
Liechtenstein was neutral during the Cold War, but sided with the West ideologically, politically and economically. The nuclear threat has led to the expansion of civil defence since the 1960s in Liechtenstein. In 1964–1965, the Liechtenstein government built a command bunker with protection against nuclear bombs in Vaduz. Liechtenstein condemned the suppression of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 and the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia. Liechtenstein boycotted the Olympic Games twice- in 1956 in Melbourne in protest against the suppression of the Hungarian uprising and in 1980 in Moscow due to the Soviet war in Afghanistan.[15]
Russia and Liechtenstein established formal diplomatic relations for the first time on 30 January 1994.[1] Russia opened a honorary consulate in Vaduz in 2006. Former Prime Minister of Liechtenstein, Markus Büchel became Honorary Consul of Russia in Liechtenstein in 2002.[17] Russian-born Liechtensteiner Eduard von Falz-Fein played an important role in establishing economic relations between the two countries throughout the 2000s.[18][19]
In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Liechtenstein condemned the invasion and applied EU sanctions against Russia, in return Russia declared the country as "taking unfriendly actions against Russia, Russian companies, and citizens".[22][23][24][25][26] Liechtenstein has sent 500,000 CHF worth humanitarian aid to Ukraine and a subsequent loan of an additional 1.8 million CHF in February 2022 aimed at assisting those displaced as a result of the war, greatly decreasing the relations between Liechtenstein and Russia.[24][27]
High level visits and diplomatic meetings
On 14 September 2009 Deputy Russian Minister of Foreign AffairsVladimir Titorenko and Liechtensteiner Minister of Foreign Affairs Aurelia Frick met in Moscow regarding the opening of an art exhibition entitled "Biedermeier. From the collection of the Prince of Lichtenstein" at the Pushkin Museum.[28] They also discussed the establishment of economic and humanitarian aid between the two countries.[29]
^Tolstoy, Nikolai (1977). The Secret Betrayal. Charles Scribner's Sons. ISBN0-684-15635-0.
^Trefilov, Aleksandr (2020). The Development of the Criminal Procedure in the Principality of Liechtenstein. Moscow: Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law under the Government of the Russian Federation. p. 114.
^Trefilov, Aleksandr (2020). The Development of the Criminal Procedure in the Principality of Liechtenstein. Moscow: Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law under the Government of the Russian Federation. p. 115.