A ‘Direct, open and tough’ meeting has been conducted between Austrian and Russian leaders

Chancellor Karl Nehammer of Austria said he had a “direct, honest, and tough” conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In a statement released, following the meeting, Nehammer stated that it was not a friendly visit and that the goal was to leave no stone left in finding an end to the conflict, or at the very least humanitarian improvement for civilians in Ukraine.

He goes on to say that his most crucial message to Putin is that the war must end because there are no winners in a war.

Austria has historically had closer links with Russia than the rest of the European Union.

It has shown support for Ukraine since Russia invaded and has condemned Russia’s alleged war crimes.