By Elena Teslova
MOSCOW (AA) - Russia's President Vladimir Putin will meet with the visiting chancellor of Austria on Monday to discuss the situation in Ukraine and issues related to Russian gas deliveries to Europe, according to the Kremlin.
"The main topic will be the state of affairs around Ukraine. But on the other hand, gas issues, their discussion cannot be excluded either, because this is a very, very pressing topic for the Austrian side," spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a daily press conference in the Russian capital.
He added that Putin and Karl Nehammer did not plan on speaking to journalists after the meeting in Moscow, which will be closed for the press at the request of the Austrian side.
Putin signed a decree on March 31 requiring "unfriendly" countries to pay for Russian gas in rubles.
At least 1,793 civilians have been killed and 2,439 injured in Ukraine since Russia declared war on Feb. 24, according to UN estimates, with the true figure feared to be much higher.
Around 4.5 million Ukrainians have fled to other countries, with millions more internally displaced, according to the UN refugee agency.