Ukraine says it's disappointed that its efforts to join the European Union have met resistance from Austria.

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg was quoted saying that Kyiv should not be offered membership of the 27-country bloc, and alternative paths should be considered to develop EU-Ukraine ties. 

According to the minister, in addition to Ukraine’s accession to the EU, there should be other models – joining the Common Economic Space of the EU or simply maintaining the current level of the Association Agreement. Schalenberg called for greater flexibility in finding mechanisms for rapprochement between Ukraine and the EU. However, he unequivocally supported the further deepening of EU relations with Ukraine.

Ukraine has called the recent remarks "strategically short-sighted".

The EU has rallied behind Ukraine during the war, punishing Russia for its invasion with sanctions.