“Tough” and “unfriendly” talks between Vladimir Putin and the Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer on Monday were the first Western sit-downs with the Russian President since he invaded Ukraine in February, according to Nehammer.

“This is not going to be a pleasant visit, I just returned from Ukraine, where I saw the unforgettable suffering inflicted by Russia’s campaign of aggression “According to a statement published by his office after the meeting outside Moscow, Nehammer said.

Nehammer is Europe’s first head of state to meet Putin face to face since Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. His visit polarised sentiment among EU leaders, with some voicing reservations about meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Nehammer’s spokesman said the two talked for about 75 minutes at Putin’s Novo-Ogaryovo home near Moscow. The Austrian leader called them “very direct, open, and tough.”