The EU and Russia agreed Tuesday to discuss their sharp differences
over Ukraine and eastern Europe as President Vladimir Putin again warned
against foreign meddling in former Soviet states.
Putin went into
a summit with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European
Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso billed as a "clear the air session"
only for both sides to come out stressing the positives.
Apparently
aiming to calm the waters in Ukraine, Putin also promised not to review
crucial aid worth $15 billion (11 billion euros) even if the
opposition, hostile to closer ties with Russia, takes power there.
After two deadly suicide bombs in two days in Russia's Volgograd, the
International Olympic Committee president has voiced confidence Russian
authorities will deliver "safe and secure" Games in Sochi.
Thomas
Bach wrote to President Vladimir Putin to express condolences for the
two deadly attacks that struck Volgograd within 24 hours.
In his
letter to Putin, Bach said he was "certain that everything will be done
to ensure the security of the athletes and all the participants of the
Olympic Games", which open on 7 February.
