Backing Georgia "mistake of historic magnitude"

Russia's FM Sergei Lavrov has warned against further Western support for Georgia's present leadership. Continued support would be a mistake of historic magnitude, Lavrov said, and called for an embargo on arms supplies to Georgia until a different government was in place there. Backing Georgia "mistake of historic magnitude" He was speaking ahead of an emergency EU leaders' summit on the Georgian crisis. They are expected to condemn Moscow's recognition of independence for Georgia's breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says his decision is irrevocable. 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. The EU's 27 members are united in their alarm at Russia's action in Georgia, but divided about how to respond, says the BBC. But calls for a fundamental change in the relationship with Russia are unlikely to get the support required. 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. 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. France, which currently chairs the EU and brokered a peace deal between Russia and Georgia, has called the meeting, which is expected to last about three hours. "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. "It's up to Russia today to make a fundamental choice and to engage neighbors 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. Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili 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 August 7 when Georgia tried to regain control of South Ossetia by force, and Russia counter-attacked deep into Georgia.

Backing Georgia "mistake of historic magnitude"

He was speaking ahead of an emergency EU leaders' summit on the Georgian crisis.

They are expected to condemn Moscow's recognition of independence for Georgia's breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says his decision is irrevocable.

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.

The EU's 27 members are united in their alarm at Russia's action in Georgia, but divided about how to respond, says the BBC.

But calls for a fundamental change in the relationship with Russia are unlikely to get the support required.

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.

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.

France, which currently chairs the EU and brokered a peace deal between Russia and Georgia, has called the meeting, which is expected to last about three hours.

"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.

"It's up to Russia today to make a fundamental choice and to engage neighbors 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.

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili 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 August 7 when Georgia tried to regain control of South Ossetia by force, and Russia counter-attacked deep into Georgia.