EU to Evaluate Ties with Russia, Postpone Partnership Talks
At an emergency summit, the EU condemned Russia's recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and voted to postpone the next round of strategic partnership talks with Russia pending the withdrawal of troops. EU leaders gathering for an emergency summit in Brussels vowed to be "vigilant" in their ties with Russia. The European Union expects "Russia to act responsibly, in line with all its commitments," according to a statement released on Monday."As long as the withdrawal of (Russian) troops has not been respected, all meetings on the partnership accord are postponed," European Commission Presidnet Jose Manuel Barroso said at the conclusion of the summit.
The leaders decided against imposing any sanctions. Several member states, most notably Poland and the Baltics, had been pressing for punitive measures against Russia, whereas Great Britain had argued strongly to suspend the partnership talks. "Let's not launch a Cold War. There's no need to flex our muscles. Demonstrations of force, verbal aggression, sanctions, counter-sanctions; these will not serve anyone," Sarkozy said.
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