PRESS RELEASE : At a meeting in Kyiv, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Chancellor of Austria discussed support for Ukraine and increasing sanctions pressure on Russia

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 9 April 2022.

At a meeting in Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Federal Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer discussed support for Ukraine’s path towards membership in the European Union, as well as increasing sanctions pressure on Russia to end aggression against our country.

“Several important issues were discussed regarding our bilateral relations, regarding full support for Ukraine’s future membership in the family of the European Union. We also discussed a strong sanctions policy against Russia and the increase of sanctions,” the President said during a meeting with media representatives following negotiations with Karl Nehammer.

The President thanked Austria for humanitarian aid and equipment, including fire engines for the SES, which will help Ukraine cope with the consequences of the Russian invasion.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also thanked Karl Nehammer for his visit to Ukraine at this difficult time and for his desire to see the whole truth with his own eyes, in particular, by visiting the city of Bucha.

“This is a great signal that the leaders of European countries, though not all, are beginning to come to Ukraine, supporting us not only in words. They themselves see what is happening here and what are the consequences of Russia’s invasion. This is very important for us,” the President said.

The President stressed that the Chancellor of Austria has a deep understanding of our situation and the consequences of Russia’s eight-year war against Ukraine, including after the full-scale invasion.

For his part, Karl Nehammer said that his country fully supports the sanctions imposed by the European Union on Russia. According to him, Austria plans to strengthen sanctions policy within the EU until the war in Ukraine ends.

The Chancellor noted that Austria supports Ukraine in all necessary matters. In particular, his country will continue to provide assistance to Ukrainians who have been forced to flee their homeland due to the war.

He also stressed that Austria will make efforts to create reliable humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of Mariupol residents.

Karl Nehammer also said that representatives of the international criminal justice system should be involved in the investigation of the crimes committed in the city of Bucha.