Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a telephone conversation with Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann on Thursday, proposed holding peace talks on the settlement of the situation in east Ukraine in Vienna, reports GHN based on Ukrinform.
"Putin sees Vienna as a good place for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine," the newspaper quoted Faymann as saying following his 20-minute conversation with the Russian leader.
According to media reports, the Austrian chancellor reminded the Russian president of the EU requirements: the rapid withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, respect for the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine, effective control over the Russian-Ukrainian border, and Russia's consistent support for the peace process in Ukraine.
According to the report, the head of the Austria government informed German Chancellor Angela Merkel about the results of his conversation.