Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer assesses the Ukraine-Russia war: 'Both sides recognize Turkey'

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, in an interview with the German newspaper Die Zeit, made statements on important issues such as the upcoming elections, the Russia-Ukraine War, and the content of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

Noting that peace talks must be initiated in some way for the war in Ukraine to end, Nehammer stated that while Ukraine's proposal of a peace plan conditional on regaining lost territories, including Crimea, is the position of the Kyiv administration, peace talks have their own different dynamics, and therefore what is important is that the talks begin.

POINTED TO TURKEY 

In response to the question of which country he pins the most hope on for a mediating role in Ukraine, Nehammer used the phrase, "I think Turkey is still important because both sides recognize Turkey." Pointing out that Germany and France, as well as China and India, are also decisive, Nehammer noted that they are ready to do their best if a role falls to Austria.

Nehammer, as the first European politician to meet with Russian President Putin after the start of the Ukraine war, also touched upon the issues discussed in that meeting.

Stating that Putin did not speak at all about the killing of civilians in Ukraine or the massacres in the city of Bucha, but that the conversation became more animated when sanctions were mentioned, Nehammer also stated that he could not make sense of the reactions following his meeting with Putin.

EVALUATED HIS COUNTRY'S POST-ELECTION PERIOD

Nehammer added that he does not look favorably on a coalition with Herbert Kickl, the leader of the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), after the general elections scheduled for September in Austria, but that they have not closed their doors to the far-right party.