Austrian President Heinz Fischer said Friday he considers an arms export ban to Russia to be a sensible proposition, in an interview with local Austrian media.

At the same time, he said talks should continue with Moscow in order to find a solution to the Ukraine crisis and to remind Ukraine of its promise of constitutional reform and a federalization.

"I still give negotiated solutions preference over purely military solutions," he said.

Fischer also defended his government's decision to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to Austria in June, saying the decision was deliberated over at length, that some positives came out of it, and called it "irrational" to judge the decision in light of the Malaysia Airlines MH17 crash in Ukraine that took place the following month.

Regarding the MH17 crash a week ago, Fischer said the wreckage must be examined carefully and objectively, and those responsible must be "sharply called to account."