War in Ukraine: Austrian Chancellor visits Moscow

Karl Nehammer.

AFP - ARIS OIKONOMOU

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

Karl Nehammer is scheduled to meet with Vladimir Putin at 2 p.m. Paris time.

He is the first European leader to meet the Russian president since the start of the war.

Karl Nehammer, who met the Ukrainian president on Saturday, wants to mediate in the conflict between the two countries.

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From our correspondent in Vienna

,

After traveling to Ukraine in person this weekend where he met President Volodymyr Zelensky and visited the martyred city of Boutcha, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer wants to speak to Vladimir Putin.

In Moscow, the Chancellor wants to promote the idea of ​​a dialogue between Ukraine and Russia, to discuss the establishment of humanitarian corridors and a possible ceasefire.

But Karl Nehammer affirms it, he will also mention the "

" of which Russia is accused.

“ 

Do nothing

 ”, not an option

For the Austrian Chancellor, "

" is not an option, he wants to be a mediator in this conflict, a "

", he says, and try everything to put an end to the war.

Austria is militarily neutral, not a member of NATO, but it will not be "

" against Vladimir Putin, he explained.

Austria has always clearly condemned Russian aggression and even expelled four Russian diplomats from its soil last week.

But Karl Nehammer believes that his country still has “

” with Russia and wishes to take advantage of them, even if he recognizes that his chances of success are slim. 

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• Austria

• Russia

• Vladimir Poutine

• Diplomacy

• Ukraine

• Volodymyr Zelensky