Putin says all sides have an interest in lifting sanctions on Russia

Russia's President Vladimir Putin looks on during a joint news conference with Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen in Vienna, Austria June 5, 2018.Heinz-Peter Bader/REUTERS

VIENNA (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday Russia had overcome all hardship related to western sanctions as he spoke at a news conference in Vienna after talks with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen.

Asked about European Union sanctions imposed on Russia, Putin said sanctions and protectionist measures are harmful to all sides involved and that all sides have an interest in lifting sanctions against Russia.

Speaking alongside Putin, Van der Bellen repeated Austria's position that it will act in unison with the European Union in dealing with Russia.

(Reporting by Darya Korsunskaya and Francois Murphy; Writing by Tom Balmforth; Editing by Vladimir Soldatkin)