NYTimes: Putin in Brussels for Talks With European Union

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia began his first talks in Brussels on Friday since his re-election earlier this year. Energy, trade, and Syria were on the agenda, and the discussions were expected to be tense.

Russia is the main external energy supplier to the 27-nation European Union, and Mr. Putin is to meet senior officials from the bloc in the 30th summit to take place between the two sides.

In recent years, relations have been soured by disputes over gas pipelines, trade issues and human rights, and there are sharp differences with the union over Moscow’s support for President Bashar al-Assad of Syria since the uprising began there in March 2011.  MORE