“As for gas supplies, President Putin has assured that all will be delivered in full,” the chancellor said. He reiterated that if Russia’s Gazprom did not use the Haidach gas storage facility near the Bavarian border, Austria would open it up to other companies.
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According to the Chancellor, Austria will also support the exchange of prisoners of war by all means. Both sides should ensure that the International Committee of the Red Cross has access to them. “President Putin has assured that the International Red Cross will have access to prisoners of war,” Nehammer said.
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Austria is trying to find a solution to the problem of Ukrainian grain exports before it rots, while there is famine in many parts of the world. Nehammer said Putin assured him during a phone call that there should be safe corridors for exports through seaports. “The aim is to conclude an agreement between Ukraine and Russia that exports – such as fertilizers and seeds – are possible on both sides,” said Nehammer, who also warned of the global consequences and destabilization of world peace.
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Nehammer described his conversation with Putin as “very intense, very serious.” According to him, Putin demanded that the West lift sanctions. “The Russian president has a war logic. According to him, the West itself is responsible for the prolongation of the war in Ukraine, “said Nehammer. According to the chancellor, Putin is aware of the dramatic situation and Russia is also looking for allies around the world.
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Blocked 20 million tons of grain
Russia has been blocking Ukraine’s Black Sea ports since February 24, making it impossible to export grain from one of its most important exporters.
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According to Ukrainian officials, 20 million tons of grain for export are blocked in Ukraine. The UN warns that if supplies from Ukraine do not reach pre-war levels, there is a risk of long-term famine in some countries. Russia has offered to open a corridor for food exports in the Black Sea, but wants to ease anti-Russian sanctions.
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In a phone call, Putin also accused Kyiv of “sabotaging” peace talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that he only wanted to negotiate directly with his Russian counterpart, not through intermediaries.
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