Europe’s dilemma over how to handle Russia will come to the fore today when EU leaders gather to condemn Moscow’s conduct in Georgia – but try to avoid upsetting the Kremlin.

President Sarkozy of France, which currently holds the EU chairmanship, has produced what impatient Eastern European officials called a lowest common denominator for the emergency one-day summit in Brussels. The 27 leaders will pledge political and economic support to Georgia and condemn Russia’s attack on its territorial integrity but will stop short of imposing any sanctions.

Dmitri Medvedev, the Russian President, spoke to Mr Sarkozy last night by telephone for what the Kremlin called an exchange of ideas.

In an earlier television interview Mr Medvedev emphasised that “there is no turning back,” from Russia’s decision to recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia and that Russians “are not advocates of sanctions”.

The French insisted that there should be no talk of punishing Moscow for recognising the independence of two of its provinces. “The important thing is that Europe should talk in one voice, firmly but calmly,” Jean-Pierre Jouyet, the French Europe Minister, said yesterday.

Mr Sarkozy will steer a delicate path between those who want a response that would sting the Kremlin – the former Soviet bloc states and Britain – and those who want a softer approach – Italy and Germany.

Gordon Brown raised the possibility of excluding Russia from G8 meetings and will urge his colleagues to reassess EU relations with Moscow. “We are also reflecting on the Nato response. We must reevaluate the alliance’s relationship with Russia and intensify our support to Georgia and others who may face Russian aggression,” he wrote in The Observer yesterday.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German Foreign Minister, took the contrasting approach – even though Angela Merkel, the Chancellor, who hails from former East Germany, has been more bullish. “We need a strong and sensible European role to return to reason and responsibility,” Mr Steinmeier said. Moscow sought to exploit the EU split yesterday with the Cold War tactic of playing on Europe’s differences with the US. Vladimir Putin, the Prime Minister, repeated the claim that the Georgia conflict was ignited by the Bush Administration.

“If some European countries want to serve someone else’s foreign policy interests, then we can’t stop them,” he said. “But I also think that charity begins at home. I believe that many of our European partners will be guided by this somewhat crude expression.”

In a letter to fellow leaders Mr Sarkozy wrote: “Russia’s commitment to a relationship of understanding and cooperation with the rest of Europe is in doubt. It is up to Russia today to make a fundamental choice; and to engage neighbours and partners in settling disputes peacefully.”

The summit will focus on the practical assistance the EU can give Georgia through humanitarian and reconstruction aid in addition to the €14 million (£11 million) already pledged. A military peacekeeping mission is on hold until UN approval can be secured.

The recognition by Russia of the breakaway provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia will be condemned and Moscow will come under pressure to implement the six-point peace plan agreed last month.

Hanging over the summit is Europe’s dependency on Russia for one third of its oil and 40 per cent of its natural gas. Several countries made bilateral energy deals with Russia, despite complaints that these undermine plans for a European energy policy.

On the eve of the summit Vladimir Chizhov, the Russian Ambassador to the EU, insisted that Moscow had no plans to use energy supplies as a political tool and dismissed any move to exclude Russia from the G8. “The EU is not in a position to throw Russia out from anywhere,” he said. The owner of a website critical of the authorities died from a bullet wound to the head while in police custody in Ingushetia. Magomed Yevloyev, who had condemned police treatment of citizens in the volatile province near Chechnya, was a prominent opponent of Murat Zyazikov, the pro-Kremlin President of Ingushetia.

Dividing lines

Hawks

Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Britain want a strong response, closer EU ties with Georgia and Ukraine to head off Russian aggression and a possible international peacekeeping force

Doves

Italy, Germany, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary. All depend heavily on Russian energy or are involved in Russian gas pipeline projects

In-between

France. As holder of the current EU presidency it will bend over backwards to ensure Europe speaks with one voice

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