Mr Putin and Mr Barroso discussed the situation in Ukraine. Mr Putin set out his understanding of what led to the crisis and stressed the disastrous consequences of the Kiev government’s military operations in southeast Ukraine and the urgent need to deliver humanitarian aid to the conflict zone.
The President noted that Russia, working together with International Red Cross officials, is sending a humanitarian convoy to Ukraine.
Mr Putin and Mr Barroso also discussed some current issues concerning Russian-EU cooperation, including with regard to the EU association agreement signed by Ukraine, and the measures Russia has taken in response to Western sanctions, namely, a ban on imports of agricultural produce from EU countries.