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Meeting with Russian President, Austrian Prime Minister described ‘open, tough’

Meeting with the Russian President, the Austrian Prime Minister described being open and tough - Photo 1.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer – Photo: AFP

“The dialogue with President Putin was very direct, open and tough,” Nehammer said.

Nehammer added that the most important message he sent to Putin was that the fighting in Ukraine must end. The Austrian Prime Minister also expressed hope that conditions for civilians in Ukraine could be improved.

“I have mentioned serious war crimes in Bucha and elsewhere, and emphasized that all those responsible for these incidents must be punished,” Nehammer added.

The Austrian leader also told Putin about the need for humanitarian corridors to “bring water and food” to besieged towns, and to evacuate women, children and the wounded.

Earlier, Kiev accused Russian soldiers of killing civilians in towns around Kiev, Ukraine. Moscow has denied the allegations, insisting they were not targeting civilians.

On the subject of sanctions, according to AFP news agency, Nehammer said he had told Putin that sanctions would continue to be strengthened if civilians were still killed in Ukraine.

Austrian media reported that the face-to-face conversation between Mr. Nehammer and Mr. Putin lasted for about 90 minutes. A Nehammer spokesman said the meeting between the Austrian and Russian leaders took place at Putin’s Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow.

Prime Minister Nehammer is the first European Union (EU) leader to meet the Russian president since Moscow launched a military operation in Ukraine on February 24, according to Reuters news agency.

Overall, Austria maintains closer ties to Russia than most other EU member states.

However, Mr. Nehammer recently expressed solidarity with Ukraine regarding Moscow’s military campaign. He also alleges that there are Russian war crimes in Ukraine, which Moscow has repeatedly denied.

Austria also joins other EU members in expelling Russian diplomats.

Prime Minister Nehammer said he will inform his European partners about the content of his meeting with Putin, and will discuss with them next steps.

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Austrian side had requested a closed-door meeting with Putin, and there was no joint press conference between the two leaders after the meeting.

Russia affirms Russia affirms that it ‘speaks and fights’ with Ukraine at the same time

TTO – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on April 11 that Russia would continue to negotiate peace with Ukraine, but he insisted that Moscow would not halt its military operation when the two sides return to negotiations.

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