Austria Expels 4 Russian Diplomats

Politico.eu: Austria expels 4 Russian diplomats 

Europe has cracked down on alleged Russian spies since the Kremlin invaded Ukraine last February. 

Austria has revoked the diplomatic status of four Russian civil servants working in Vienna, the Austrian foreign ministry said in a press release Thursday. 

The four Russian diplomats “have engaged in acts incompatible with their diplomatic status” and “must leave the territory of the Republic of Austria within one week at the latest, i.e. by the end of 8 February,” the statement reads. 

Two of the diplomats worked at the Russian embassy in Vienna and the other two were from the permanent mission to the United Nations.  

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WNU Editor: The Kremlin has responded .... Vienna makes conscious choice to ruin relations with Moscow, Russian envoy says (TASS). 

 Austria Expels 4 Russian Diplomats  

Austria expels 4 Russian diplomats based in Vienna -- AP  

Austria expels four Russian diplomats, using language of spy cases -- Reuters  

Austria expels four Russian diplomats -- DW

Talks Between Putin And Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer On Ukraine Have Concluded Outside Moscow

 

DW: Austrian chancellor concludes 'tough' talks with Putin in Moscow 

Karl Nehammer is the first European leader to visit Moscow since the conflict in Ukraine began. According to the Kremlin, the two leaders may also discuss issues relating to gas supply. 

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer on Monday became the first European leader to visit Moscow and meet Russian President Vladimir Putin since the invasion of Ukraine began on February 24. 

Nehammer called the talks "direct, open and tough" after meeting with Putin in his residence in the Novo-Ogaryovo neighborhood of Moscow.  

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WNU Editor: Talks lasted for about 75 minutes. Specific details on what was discussed have not been made public (yet). 

Talks Between Putin And Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer On Ukraine Have Concluded Outside Moscow  

Talks with Putin were harsh, open, Austrian Chancellor says — report -- TASS  

Ukraine talks between Putin and EU leader conclude outside Moscow -- RT 

Putin finishes talks with Nehammer in Novo-Ogaryovo — Kremlin spokesman -- TASS  

Austria's leader says his face-to-face meeting with Putin was 'not a friendly visit' -- CNN

'Hard' Talks Between Austrian Leader And Putin End After An Hour -- RFE  

Austrian leader has 'open and tough' talks with Putin in Moscow -- Reuters  

Austrian chancellor confronts Putin over Ukraine war crimes -- The Guardian

Russian President Putin Visits Austria. Grilled By Press In Rare Interview

The Guardian: Putin pushes for end to 'harmful' sanctions during Austria visit

Russian leader evaded MH17 questions during first visit to an EU country since re-election.

Vladimir Putin lobbied for the phasing out of economic sanctions and dodged questions about the shooting down of flight MH17 during his first state visit to an EU member state since being re-elected as Russian president in March.

“Both those who initiate these actions and those such measures that we call sanctions are aimed against find them harmful,” Putin said in Vienna on Tuesday, claiming that European countries were merely “finding it hard to say so”.

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WNU Editor: The Austrian government was overly polite and cordial to Russian President Putin, while the press took advantage of the opportunity to question Putin.

More News On Russian President Putin Visiting Austria

Austria rolls out red carpet for Putin despite Skripal controversy -- The Telegraph
Top quotes from Putin’s Austrian interview – so tense he had to resort to German to make his point -- RT
Putin Speaks German to Ask Austrian Journalist Not to Interrupt Him (VIDEO) -- Sputnik
‘If you don't like my answers, then don't ask the questions’ Here's what Vladimir Putin told the Austrian media in his latest big ole interview -- Meduza
Putin: Sanctions harm all, everybody wants them to go -- TASS
Lifting Russia Sanctions Would Benefit All, Putin Says In Austria -- RFE
Putin says all sides have an interest in lifting sanctions on Russia -- Reuters
Putin: Russia Not Seeking to Divide EU, Interested in United Partner -- Sputnik
Putin says Russia not aiming to divide EU -- BBC
Russia Wants 'United and Flourishing' Europe, Putin Claims in Rare Interview -- Moscow Times
‘Is this not democracy?’: No conditions will make Russia return Crimea to Ukraine rule – Putin -- RT
Putin reiterates his stance on Russia's alleged involvement in US elections -- TASS
Putin Blames Ukraine for MH17 for Failing to Stop Planes Flying Over Conflict Zone -- Newsweek
Putin proposes special status for Donbass republics within Ukraine -- RT
Putin Calls U.S. Indictment Of Kremlin-Connected Tycoon 'Ridiculous' -- RFE
Putin Says He Shares Trump's Concern Over Possible Arms Race -- Sputnik
Superpower Russia key to settlement of Syria, Ukraine conflicts – Austria’s Kurz to Putin -- RT
Austrian chancellor calls Russia superpower, stresses its role for peace -- TASS
Austria’s president says found common language with Putin -- TASS
Austria welcomes Putin but rebuffs his call for sanctions to be lifted -- Reuters
Putin says he wants to build bridges with Europe. Others see a wedge -- CNN