Vladimir Putin and José Manuel Barroso discussed the problem of Russian gas transit to European consumers through Ukraine.
Mr Barroso informed Prime Minister Putin about an agreement reached with the Ukrainian government. The agreement envisions the participation of Gazprom, representatives from European companies that consume Russian gas, and members (representatives) of an international monitoring organisation in an international multilateral monitoring commission.
Prime Minister Putin stressed the necessity to ensure Russian gas transit to European consumers through Ukraine without delay. In addition, he expressed conviction that, as one of the parties concerned and affected during the conflict, representatives from European companies that consume Russian gas should participate in the commission along with representatives from Gazprom and the international monitoring organisation.
Prime Minister Putin also noted that Russian gas transit through Ukraine will be resumed as soon as the international multilateral monitoring commission, composed of the abovementioned members, starts its work in Russia and Ukraine.