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.

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.

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.