EU's Barroso warns Putin against new Ukraine trade barriers. (Letter from President Barroso to President Putin. EC - 01.10.14)

BRUSSELS: European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso warned Russian President Vladimir Putin Wednesday (Oct 1) not to impose new trade measures against Kiev, saying it would threaten an agreement with Russia to delay a landmark EU-Ukraine pact.

"We have strong concerns about the recent adoption of a decree by the Russian government proposing new trade barriers between Russia and Ukraine," Barroso told Putin in a letter released by the Commission.

Ukrainian, European Parliaments Ratify Ukraine's EU Association Deal

The parliaments of Ukraine and the European Union simultaneously ratified Ukraine's Association Agreement with the EU Tuesday.

The Verkhovna Rada approved the bill by 355 lawmakers with the required minimum of 226 “yes” votes.

The Ukrainian president signed the ratification deal immediately after and told the government to prepare implementation bill for the agreement by Wednesday.

European Parliament ratifies EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. (127 against and 35 abstentions)

The European Parliament gave its consent to the EU-Ukraine Association agreement, which includes a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA), on Tuesday in Strasbourg. At the same time, the Agreement was also ratified by the Ukrainian Parliament in Kiev. The deal will establish a deep political association and economic integration between the EU and Ukraine and provide for mutual free market access.

MEPs backed the agreement with 535 votes in favour, 127 against and 35 abstentions.