PUTIN TO VISIT VIENNA MAY 23

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 001275 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/RUS AND EUR/AGS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2017 TAGS: PREL MARR RU AU SUBJECT: PUTIN TO VISIT VIENNA MAY 23 Classified By: Economic-Political Counselor Gregory E. Phillips. Reaso n: 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) The Austrian MFA's Assistant Secretary-level Director for Central and Eastern Europe, Hannes Porias, told us the Austrians intended to "send messages" on a range of important issues during Russian President Vladimir Putin's May 23-24 bilateral visit to Vienna. ¶2. (C) Porias said the scheduling of the visit had no particular significance -- it was simply when Putin's schedule allowed. Austria saw the visit as in keeping with Vienna's long-standing practice of engaging in dialogue with all important actors. However, he said, "all issues will be discussed," including Putin's recent comments on the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) treaty, missile defense, and Kosovo. The Austrian line will be fully in keeping with agreed EU positions, Porias said. ¶3. (C) Porias said it would be helpful if we could provide any possible readout of the Secretary's current visit to Moscow. McCaw