Nehamer is the first European leader to meet Putin face to face after his invasion of Ukraine. His visit has split views among EU leaders, with some expressing skepticism about co-operation with the Russian leader.
The couple spoke for about 75 minutes at Putin’s residence in Novo-Ogaryovo near Moscow, Nehammer’s spokesman said in conversations that the Austrian leader described as “very direct, open and tough”.
Before visiting Russia, Nehammer met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv and visited the city of Bucha, where the bodies of unarmed civilians were found scattered on public streets after a month of Russian occupation.
“I urge the people of Bhutan and other parts of the world to be held accountable for their crimes,” Nehamer was quoted as saying. “I also told President Putin without hesitation that sanctions against Russia would remain in place and would continue to be tougher as people die in Ukraine.”
Austria is militarily neutral, but its government has joined forces with its neighbors to condemn Putin’s invasion.
The chancellor said he had raised the issue of evacuation corridors with Putin, following repeated instances in which evacuation attempts around Ukraine were blocked by Russian attacks. Ukrainian officials say a Russian attack on Kramatorsk train station on Friday has killed dozens of people, including many children.
“I also made it clear to the Russian president that there is an urgent need for humanitarian corridors to bring drinking water and food to the besieged cities and to evacuate women, children and the wounded,” Nehammer said in a statement.
“For me, there is no alternative to seeking direct talks with Russia, despite the great differences,” Nehamer said, referring to the pursuit of a meeting with Putin. ».
Ahead of their talks, the Lithuanian Foreign Minister questioned their effectiveness, saying of the Russian leader: “Personally, I have no reason to believe that it is debatable.”
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavski also urged Nehamer to be cautious. “Do not be naive. Putin is the perpetrator of this horrible war crime and these atrocities, and he should be punished for it,” he said.
Nehammer’s statement said the European Union was “more united than ever on this issue”.
Ukraine’s foreign minister said on Sunday that it would be “extremely difficult” to even consider negotiations with Russia following the atrocities in the city of Bukha and at the Kramatorsk railway station.
Putin has appointed a new general to oversee the invasion over the weekend, and the focus of Russian forces has shifted to eastern Ukraine after failing to occupy the capital, Kyiv, and other areas in the center of the country.
