Phone call with Putin – Chancellor: ‘Progress, but in the millimeter range’

In terms of atmosphere, the conversation with the Kremlin boss was more concrete than during the visit to Moscow a few weeks ago. The work must now be done, the chancellor said. In the phone call, Nehammer specifically addressed the possibility of a prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia.

Access to POWs
For this, the Red Cross must first have access to the prisoners of war. Ukraine had already promised that and now Putin has agreed to it. Austria, says Nehammer, will politically support such an exchange of prisoners of war at all times and to the best of its ability.

issue of food security
The second key point of the conversation was the issue of food security. Russia and Ukraine are among the world’s leading exporters of wheat, maize, sunflower seeds and fertilizers.

According to Nehammer, Putin is very aware of this problem, but in his own war logic he blames the West. If there were no sanctions, the food supply would also be secure.

Is the destabilization of world peace imminent?
According to Nehammer, the issue of food security could lead to a destabilization of world peace. Austria therefore supports the UN in its efforts to make exports possible again. But land export is logistically extremely difficult.

However, according to the chancellor, Putin would send signals to allow exports by sea again in the future. According to Nehammer, the goal is a corresponding agreement between Ukraine and Russia. For example, Ukraine would have to mine seaports in the Black Sea, but to do that, Russia would have to guarantee that it will not exploit them militarily.