The Viennese waltz with Putin has the rest of Europe worrying – is Austria passing secrets to Russia?

Is Moscow being passed intelligence gathered by Austria’s secret service?

That is the question preoccupying the country’s opposition and media amid reports that European intelligence services have distanced themselves from Vienna, fearing sensitive information may be shared with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom the ruling far-right has cultivated links.

A widely circulated image of Austrian foreign minister Karin Kneissl and Putin dancing at her wedding last weekend has further fuelled speculation.

Kneissl, who was nominated to the post by the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe), raised eyebrows by inviting Putin to her wedding. Both sides have insisted it was a private event.

Besides the foreign ministry, the FPOe has also had the top posts in the interior and defence ministries since forming a coalition government with Chancellor Sebastian Kurz’ conservative People’s Party (OeVP) late last year.

Putin’s visit came amid reports of other Western countries becoming warier of intelligence cooperation with Austria due to suspicions that the FPOe and its Interior Minister Herbert Kickl are trying to exert influence on intelligence agencies.