MOSCOW, January 25. /TASS/. European political elites often serve not their own national interests, but interests of third countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with students Wednesday.

"I have good relations with many Austrians, ordinary and otherwise, and I know that they view our country very favorably. And, despite any events in the world, […] their opinion about our country does not change, unlike the opinion of political elites of certain countries, including European ones. Oftentimes, these elites serve not their own national interests, but interests of third countries. But reconsideration is happening regardless," Putin said.

During the meeting, a student told the president that she used to live and study and Vienna but had to return to Russia after she faced violation of her rights as a Russian national. Several days after the start of the special military operation, she was asked to sign a paper that called Russia a "terrorist state." She said she refused to do that and instead returned to Russia.

"But I must say that many ordinary people of Austria know a lot of good things about you personally, about our country, and know our history," she said.