Austrian chancellor Nehammer talks with Putin over POW exchange and gas supply

Karl Nehammer, the Chancellor of Austria, and Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, have had a 45-minute phone talk today and discussed the exchange of captives between Ukraine and Russia, according to Kleine Zeitung.

Nehammer says it was “a rough and straightforward talk.” He also confirmed that Putin had agreed to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to see the captives.

“There is no prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine right now, we have discussed the problem. The Russian President said that he was ready to discuss this matter further and that progress has to be made here,” RIA Novosti cites the Austrian leader.

The two also discussed the problem of maritime traffic security in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, says the Kremlin. “It is worth mentioning that Ukraine has to clear their ports of mines to allow maritime traffic. We can also see that Kyiv is trying to sabotage the negotiations,” the PR office of the Russian President said.

Nehammer and Putin have also discussed the problem of food security and gas supply. “Russia has confirmed that it will abide by its commitments and continue supplying natural gas to Austria,” says the Kremlin website.