Poland, angry over Moscow's ban on food imports, appeared set Thursday to veto an economic accord between the European Union and Russia. Efforts by diplomats of the EU countries apparently could not talk the Warsaw government out of a veto at the start of new agreement talks between the EU and Russia, the BBC reported.
The EU-Russia summit talks, scheduled for Friday in Helsinki, are unlikely to open negotiations on a new strategic agreement, requiring approval by all 25 EU countries, said a spokesman for Finland, which holds the EU 6-month rotating presidency.
The summit in Helsinki was to open a new phase between the European Union and Russia in dealing with economic issues, including energy and goods exchange, labor movement and human rights.