The European Union should be open to resuming Russian natural gas imports if a peace deal is reached between Russia and Ukraine, an Austrian official said, as Brussels readies a proposal to ban Russian imports.

The energy ministry's office has now denied that Austria was considering a resumption of imports from state-controlled Gazprom.

Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen has called on the Russian leadership to end its war of aggression against Ukraine and engage in serious and honest negotiations aimed at a peaceful settlement.

Austria has stated the European Union should keep the option open to re-evaluate its ban on Russian gas imports should a peace agreement be reached between Russia and Ukraine.

The Ukrainian president says he "can't imagine" Ukraine living and fighting without the help of the US. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, together with First Lady Olena Zelenska, will pay an official visit to Austria on Monday, June 16, during which he will hold talks with the country's leadership.