You're reading: Monday’s headlines: Putin aid warns of further restrictions at border, prime ministers discuss returning things to normal

Editor’s note: In this new feature, the Kyiv Post brings together the most relevant events from morning headlines.

Russia is preparing to tighten customs controls in response to Ukraine signing a landmark Association Agreement with the EU in Novemberreports Dzerkalo Tyzhnia. According to Sergey Glazyev, an adviser of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the recent customs regime imposed on Ukrainian goods was a “single action” – a warning in the event that Kyiv will sign a “suicidal” agreement with the EU.

Today Ukrainian and Russian customs officials will try to return the process of trade between the countries to normal, Forbes Ukraine writes. Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev talked on Aug. 18 by telephone and agreed to meet on Aug. 19 with the heads of their respective customs services to discuss returning procedures “to the optimal regime that promotes mutual trade.”

Ukrainian companies aren’t the only ones negatively affected by the trade dispute and intensive checks at the border, according to Korrespondent magazine. Eight out of 10 cars that carry goods to Russia from Ukraine belong to Russian companies, according to the head of logistics at Ukrtirtrans. Also, a lack of Ukrainian products and raw materials can lead to slowdowns in Russian construction.