The EU has agreed with Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold talks on gas security.<br /><br />The 28-member bloc wants to soothe tensions between Moscow and Kyiv over over Russia’s actions in Crimea and alleged interference in eastern Ukraine.<br /><br />European Commission president José Manuel Barroso replied to a letter penned last week by Putin, in which he warned Russia could cut gas supplies to Ukraine over unpaid debts.<br /><br />Barroso said Ukraine’s gas debts and import prices should be considered as part of a wider aid package between the EU and the International Monetary Fund.<br /><br />He told Russia to respect gas contracts and said that Europe should be warned of “any unilateral steps,” such as halting supplies.<br /><br />MEPs also added their voice to the debate.<br /><br />The European Parliament on Wednesday passed a non-binding resolution that called for EU sanctions against Russia’s energy sector.<br /><br />But sanctions of that kind can only be approved by EU governments.
