The European Union has said that its relations with Russia are at crossroads and warned that they could suffer if Moscow does not uphold accords to end the Georgia conflict.The warning is contained in a draft statement released on Monday at a Brussels summit where leaders of the EU are meeting to discuss relations between Russia and Georgia. The statement also condemned Russia's move to recognise the independence of the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, but it did not mention imposing sanctions.
"The European council is gravely concerned by the open conflict which has broken out in Georgia, by the resulting violence and by the disproportionate reaction of Russia," said the draft. "(The review) may lead to decisions on the continuation of discussions on the future of relations between the EU and Russia in various areas."
The draft statement could yet change, and is seen as an attempt to bridge differences among members on how to treat Russia.
The summit agreed to postpone talks on a new EU-Russian partnership until Moscow withdraws its troops to pre-conflict positions.
Russia's EU envoy dismissed the decision to freeze the talks, saying that the move had damaged the European Union's credibility. "It is more of a self punishment for the European Union because this does not improve the EU's credibility as a negotiating partner," Vladimir Chizhov said.
Talk of sanctions at the summit, meanwhile, has exposed a developing rift between EU ranks. Germany and Italy believe that Russia has to be "engaged not enraged", but Britain and the Baltic states want a tough stance against Russia, said Mark Seddon, Al Jazeera's diplomatic correspondent.