Russia Hails Austria's Stance on Russia Sanctions Before FM's Moscow Visit

Austria is opposed to the confrontation with Russia, as well as to increasing sanctions pressure, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Sunday ahead of the upcoming Austrian Minister's of Foreign Affairs, Sebastian Kurz, visit to Moscow on May 4-5.

"Following generally the track of the EU's policy on Ukraine, Austria, however, is among the opponents of the long-term confrontation with Russia and increasing sanctions pressure. Many Austrian politicians, public figures and the vast majority of businesses share this stance. Banking structure, industrial sector, service industries and tourism are not going to fold up their businesses in Russia and do not conceal interest in a speedy normalization of relations between Russia and the EU", a statement posted on the ministry's website said.

Earlier, Austria's Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz said that Vienna did not support the extension of economic sanctions against Russia.

Ukrainian reconciliation, particularly the implementation of the Minsk agreements, will dominate the agenda of the upcoming meeting between Russian and Austrian foreign ministers, Austrian Ambassador to Russia Emil Brix told Sputnik in an exclusive interview Tuesday.

The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that "relations between Russia and Austria are developing in a positive manner, characterized by mutual trust, stability and absence of serious problems."