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EU summit to review Russia ties Moscow warns EU on Georgia ties
(about 2 hours later)
EU leaders are to hold an emergency summit in Brussels to discuss the crisis between Georgia and Russia. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said further Western support for Georgia's present leadership would be a mistake of historic magnitude.
They are expected to condemn Moscow's recognition of independence for Georgia's breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Mr Lavrov called for an embargo on arms supplies to Georgia until a different government was in place there.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says his decision is irrevocable. He was speaking ahead of an emergency EU summit on the Georgian crisis.
Correspondents say that despite talk of sanctions from the French foreign minister last week, such a tough response now looks highly unlikely. The meeting is expected to condemn Moscow's recognition of independence for Georgia's breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said his decision is irrevocable.
Mr Lavrov warned "the US and its allies" that supporting the government of Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili would be a historic mistake, and called for an arms embargo "while a different government turns Georgia into a normal state".
"To protect the region from the recurrence of violence, Russia will continue taking measures to punish the guilty, so that this regime is never able to do evil," he added.
'Fundamental choice'
France - which called the meeting for 1500 GMT on Monday - says EU leaders will tell Russia that its recognition of independence for Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is unacceptable.
The EU will also put its relationship with Russia under increased scrutiny, the French foreign ministry told the BBC.
Dmitry Medvedev warned Moscow would retaliate against any sanctions
But correspondents say that despite talk of sanctions from the French foreign minister last week, such a tough response now looks highly unlikely.
Georgian demonstrators are planning to hold rallies in Tbilisi and in other European capitals to coincide with the special EU summit in Brussels when it opens on Monday.Georgian demonstrators are planning to hold rallies in Tbilisi and in other European capitals to coincide with the special EU summit in Brussels when it opens on Monday.
The EU's 27 members are united in their alarm at Russia's action in Georgia, but divided about how to respond, says BBC Europe correspondent Jonny Dymond in Brussels.The EU's 27 members are united in their alarm at Russia's action in Georgia, but divided about how to respond, says BBC Europe correspondent Jonny Dymond in Brussels.
'Fundamental choice'
But calls for a fundamental change in the relationship with Russia are unlikely to get the support required, he says.But calls for a fundamental change in the relationship with Russia are unlikely to get the support required, he says.
Many EU states are wary of alienating Russia, an important trading partner and a major energy supplier, our correspondent says.Many EU states are wary of alienating Russia, an important trading partner and a major energy supplier, our correspondent says.
The event is expected to bring a pledge for more monitors on the ground, substantial economic aid, a free trade agreement and easier travel arrangements for Georgians, says the BBC's Oana Lungescu in Brussels.The event is expected to bring a pledge for more monitors on the ground, substantial economic aid, a free trade agreement and easier travel arrangements for Georgians, says the BBC's Oana Lungescu in Brussels.
Dmitry Medvedev warned Moscow would retaliate against any sanctions
The summit comes a day after British Prime Minister Gordon Brown called for a root-and-branch review of the EU's relationship with Russia, saying no nation should be allowed to exert an energy stranglehold over Europe.The summit comes a day after British Prime Minister Gordon Brown called for a root-and-branch review of the EU's relationship with Russia, saying no nation should be allowed to exert an energy stranglehold over Europe.
But German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned Europe would only hurt itself if, as he put it, it were to get emotional and slam the doors.But German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned Europe would only hurt itself if, as he put it, it were to get emotional and slam the doors.
France, which currently chairs the EU and brokered a peace deal between Russia and Georgia, has called the meeting, which begins at 1500 GMT and is expected to last about three hours. 'Dirty aggression'
"Russia's commitment to a relationship of understanding and co-operation with the rest of Europe is in doubt," wrote French President Nicolas Sarkozy in a letter to EU leaders before the summit obtained by the Associated Press news agency. "Russia's commitment to a relationship of understanding and co-operation with the rest of Europe is in doubt," wrote French President Nicolas Sarkozy in a letter to EU leaders before the summit, obtained by the Associated Press news agency.
France currently chairs the EU and brokered a peace deal between Russia and Georgia.
"It's up to Russia today to make a fundamental choice and to engage neighbours and partners in settling disputes peacefully.""It's up to Russia today to make a fundamental choice and to engage neighbours and partners in settling disputes peacefully."
On the eve of the summit, President Medvedev warned that Russia was ready to retaliate against any sanctions the EU might impose.On the eve of the summit, President Medvedev warned that Russia was ready to retaliate against any sanctions the EU might impose.
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili urged EU leaders not to give up in the face of what he called Russia's "dirty attempt at aggression". Mr Saakashvili, for his part, urged EU leaders not to give up in the face of what he called Russia's "dirty attempt at aggression".
Russia's four-day war with Georgia began on 7 August when Georgia tried to regain control of South Ossetia by force, and Russia counter-attacked deep into Georgia.Russia's four-day war with Georgia began on 7 August when Georgia tried to regain control of South Ossetia by force, and Russia counter-attacked deep into Georgia.