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EU suspend talks on Russia pact EU suspends talks on Russia pact
(about 1 hour later)
European Union leaders have agreed to suspend talks on a new partnership agreement with Moscow until Russian troops have withdrawn from Georgia.European Union leaders have agreed to suspend talks on a new partnership agreement with Moscow until Russian troops have withdrawn from Georgia.
EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and French President Nicolas Sarkozy confirmed the decision at the end of an emergency summit in Brussels. EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said it was clear it could not "continue as if nothing had happened", after an emergency summit in Brussels.
They also condemned Russia's move to recognise the independence of Georgia's regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The EU also condemned Russia's move to recognise the independence of Georgia's regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Russia has warned further support for Georgia would be a "historic" mistake.Russia has warned further support for Georgia would be a "historic" mistake.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also called for an embargo on arms supplies to Georgia until a different government was in place there.Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also called for an embargo on arms supplies to Georgia until a different government was in place there.
The EU's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, meanwhile said it was prepared to send hundreds of civilian monitors to Georgia to check if Russia was abiding by the EU-brokered ceasefire agreement.The EU's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, meanwhile said it was prepared to send hundreds of civilian monitors to Georgia to check if Russia was abiding by the EU-brokered ceasefire agreement.
With the crisis in Georgia, relations between the EU and Russia have reached a crossroads EU Council statement
Fighting between Russia and Georgia began on 7 August after the Georgian military tried to retake South Ossetia by force.Fighting between Russia and Georgia began on 7 August after the Georgian military tried to retake South Ossetia by force.
Russian forces launched a counter-attack and the conflict ended with the ejection of Georgian troops from South Ossetia and Abkhazia.Russian forces launched a counter-attack and the conflict ended with the ejection of Georgian troops from South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
'Gravely concerned''Gravely concerned'
As leaders of the EU's 27 member states gathered in Brussels on Monday for an emergency summit on the crisis, sharp differences emerged between them on how to respond to the Russia's actions. Speaking after EU leaders met in Brussels to discuss the crisis, Mr Barroso and French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced they had agreed to postpone talks on an EU-Russia partnership deal.
He said that after the Russian invasion of Georgia, Nato membership was no longer a cost-free option Europe Editor Mark Mardell On the cusp of history?Russia's new world orderIn pictures: Georgians rallyHe said that after the Russian invasion of Georgia, Nato membership was no longer a cost-free option Europe Editor Mark Mardell On the cusp of history?Russia's new world orderIn pictures: Georgians rally
"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," a statement said. The timing of the talks, originally scheduled for mid-September, would depend on Russian forces moving back to their pre-7 August positions, he added.
The Council also called for the appointment of an EU special representative and the despatch of a mission to the region to review of the implementation of the ceasefire deal. Mr Sarkozy, whose country is the current holder of the EU presidency, said the crisis meant the bloc had to re-examine its relationship with Russia.
"In the light of the situation and in particular the implementation by Russia of all its commitments under the six-point [ceasefire] plan, [the review] may lead to decisions on the continuation of discussions on the future of relations between the Union and Russia in various areas," it added. "The EU would welcome a real partnership with Russia, which is in the interests of all, but you have to be two to have a partnership," he said.
Although there was no mention of sanctions against Russia, the conclusions said relations with Russia had "reached a crossroads" and warned the EU would remain "vigilant". The French president also announced that he would visit Moscow on Monday along with Mr Barroso and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana for a "crucial" meeting with the Russian government.
"We are convinced that it is in Russia's own interest not to isolate itself from Europe. We expect Russia to behave in a responsible manner, honouring all its commitments," it said. A joint statement from the EU summit called on other states not to follow Russia's lead by recognising the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.Georgians are holding rallies in Tbilisi and in other European capitals
There was also a strong signal of support for Georgia, with support for a donors' conference for reconstruction, the promise of a free trade area and fewer travel restrictions on its citizens. There was also a strong signal of support for Georgia, with EU-wide backing for a donors' conference for reconstruction, the promise of a free trade area and fewer travel restrictions on its citizens.
Ahead of the summit, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged the EU to suspend talks on a long-delayed partnership agreement with Russia. To coincide with the summit, Georgians held several rallies across their country and in other European capitals, at which they called for further Western support and assistance.
Brown: EU united in condemnation
But France, which currently holds the EU presidency and brokered the ceasefire agreement between Russia and Georgia last month, said Europe did not want to "recreate the Cold War".
"By pointing the finger at Russia, we isolate it and continue to trample on it," Prime Minister Francois Fillon said. "This is not the way France has chosen. It's not the way Europe has chosen... and the word 'sanctions' is not on the agenda."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel also said the EU should not break off dialogue with Moscow but instead "speak clearly", echoing earlier comments by Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Georgians are holding rallies in Tbilisi and in other European capitals to coincide with the Brussels summit.
President Mikhail Saakashvili told a crowd of thousands in Tbilisi's Freedom Square that Georgia was "united as never before" and urged EU leaders not to give up in the face of Russian "aggression".President Mikhail Saakashvili told a crowd of thousands in Tbilisi's Freedom Square that Georgia was "united as never before" and urged EU leaders not to give up in the face of Russian "aggression".
"Today we can say that Georgia is not alone, because the whole world is standing beside us," he said. "Georgia will never stop resisting, Georgia will never surrender."
'Responsible state''Responsible state'
Earlier, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned the US and its allies that supporting President Saakashvili would be a historic mistake, and called for an arms embargo "while a different government turns Georgia into a normal state".Earlier, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned the US and its allies that supporting President Saakashvili would be a historic mistake, and called for an arms embargo "while a different government turns Georgia into a normal state".
Georgians are holding rallies in Tbilisi and in other European capitals Dmitry Medvedev warned Moscow would retaliate against any sanctions
"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 said."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 said.
Speaking in Moscow, Mr Lavrov said Russia had returned to the world stage as a responsible state which could defend its citizens.Speaking in Moscow, Mr Lavrov said Russia had returned to the world stage as a responsible state which could defend its citizens.
Mr Lavrov's comments follow Mr Medvedev's redefining of Russia's foreign policy principles.Mr Lavrov's comments follow Mr Medvedev's redefining of Russia's foreign policy principles.
Russia, the Kremlin leader declared, would no longer accept a situation whereby a single country, like the US, sought global domination.Russia, the Kremlin leader declared, would no longer accept a situation whereby a single country, like the US, sought global domination.
Mr Medvedev also pledged to defend the lives and dignity of Russian citizens, wherever they are located.Mr Medvedev also pledged to defend the lives and dignity of Russian citizens, wherever they are located.
He made it clear that there were parts of the world where Russia sees itself as having privileged interests.He made it clear that there were parts of the world where Russia sees itself as having privileged interests.
Russia's conflict with Georgia began on 7 August when Georgia tried to regain control of South Ossetia by force, and Russia counter-attacked deep into Georgia.