Austria’s chancellor is set to meet in person with Putin, the first European leader since the war.

Karl Nehammer, the Austrian chancellor, said he will meet with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday, becoming the first European leader to hold in-person talks with the Russian leader since the invasion of Ukraine in February.

The visit reflects Austria’s distinct position in Europe. As a neutral state that is not a member of NATO, it has traditionally maintained closer ties with Russia than most of its European neighbors. Still, Austria has joined the E.U.’s sanctions against Russia and Mr. Nehammer has criticized Mr. Putin’s actions.

While several European leaders have visited Ukraine, the diplomacy with Russia has been more limited. Efforts from the leaders of France and Israel appear to have had little effect on Mr. Putin. There is increasing evidence of Russian troops intentionally killing civilians and a mass exodus from the east of Ukraine as Russia repositions its forces. Read more

@nytimes