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Vladimir Putin attends Austrian foreign minister's wedding | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Russian President Vladimir Putin has attended the wedding of Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl, who has been criticised for inviting him. | |
Mr Putin presented her with flowers and danced with her at the event in the southern Austrian province of Styria. | |
Opposition politicians have accused Ms Kneissl of undermining EU foreign policy with her choice of guest. | |
Mr Putin stopped in Austria on his way to Germany, where he will hold talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel. | |
Ms Kneissl, 53, is marrying entrepreneur Wolfgang Meilinger at a ceremony in the small town of Gamlitz, near the border with Slovenia. | |
Ms Kneissl, an academic with no party affiliation, was picked as foreign minister by Austria's far-right Freedom Party - a coalition partner in the current government. | |
Mr Putin was invited during a visit to Austria earlier this year. | Mr Putin was invited during a visit to Austria earlier this year. |
There has been vigorous debate in the Austrian media about the Russian president's appearance since it was announced this week. | |
Members of the country's Green Party are among those calling for the foreign minister to resign over the invitation. | |
Some politicians have voiced concern about the potential cost to taxpayers incurred by increased security for the visit. | |
The Russian president is also set for informal talks with the German chancellor on Saturday about a number of issues. | The Russian president is also set for informal talks with the German chancellor on Saturday about a number of issues. |
Germany is facing pressure from the US to halt work on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project which will transport gas from Russia. | Germany is facing pressure from the US to halt work on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project which will transport gas from Russia. |
Speaking to the media on Friday, Mrs Merkel said she would like to discuss the possibility of a meeting on Syria with other Nato partners, but that "no specific results are expected" from Saturday's working meeting. |