Putin Meets First European Leader Since Invasion, Told War ‘Needs to End’

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer is the primary European chief to carry face-to-face conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the reason that invasion of Ukraine.

Nehammer tweeted that he might be assembly with Putin on Monday, making it clear that Austria was militarily impartial, however added that an investigation into alleged warfare crimes have to be carried out. As the primary chief of the West to fulfill with Putin, Nehammer did so within the hope of bringing an finish to the invasion. This comes two days after touring to Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Nehammer described his dialog with Putin as “very direct, open and difficult,” in keeping with Euro Information. Following the assembly, Nehammer stated that he was “somewhat pessimistic” in regards to the success of negotiations.

“There needs to be no illusions. President Putin has massively entered right into a logic of warfare and is performing accordingly ‘within the hope of registering’ speedy army success,” Nehammer advised reporters Monday.

Regardless of mounting proof on the contrary, Russia has denied all warfare crimes. Nehammer advised Putin that the results of concentrating on civilians within the warfare towards Ukraine are to return.

“I spoke in regards to the severe warfare crimes in Bucha and different locations and stated that every one these accountable have to be dropped at justice,” the Austrian chancellor stated.

Nehammer stated it was necessary to talk with Putin in particular person to emphasize that the West’s sanctions towards Russia would grow to be more durable because the warfare continues.

“[Telling him] as soon as is not going to be sufficient. Ten occasions is not going to be sufficient. It might need to be accomplished 100 occasions however I believe it’s essential to do every thing to make sure there’s peace once more and other people in Ukraine can dwell in security,” Nehammer stated.

Nehammer additionally famous that there’s “little or no curiosity on the Russian aspect in a direct assembly” with Ukraine’s president, however stated there could also be hope attributable to Putin’s continued curiosity within the Istanbul peace talks.

Nehammer has additionally been criticized by Austrian leaders for his go to with Putin.

A member of the Austrian Parliament, Ewa Ernst-Dziedzic, stated she couldn’t agree with the go to.

“No, I can’t condone a go to to Putin,” Ernst-Dziedzic wrote on Twitter. “This has nothing to do with diplomacy. That is additionally not an agreed roadmap for negotiations. Putin will use this for his propaganda.”

Reinhard Heinisch, a professor of comparative Austrian politics on the College of Salzburg, wrote on Twitter, “Let’s hope there’s extra to the Austrian chancellor #Nehammer’s go to to Putin than has been stated and meets the attention. Austria has all too usually served the function of Moscow’s helpful fool previously.”

Newsweek reached out to the Russian Federation and Nehammer for remark.