The European Union is finding itself in unfamiliar territory with Russia. Its trouble stems, unusually, from having been too clear and overly united in its demands towards its eastern neighbour. This dates from just after the August war in Georgia, when the Europeans were desperate to press Russia to remove its tanks and men from the country. The leaders of all 27 eu countries met at an emergency summit on September 1st, and-breaking with their normal habits of mudge and fudge-issued an admirably limpid demand, backed by a crystal-clear condition.rnThe leaders issued the following declaration, in writing: until all troops withdrew to positions they held prior to August 7th, the day before the war began, the eu would suspend any negotiations on a new partnership and co-operation agreement (pca) with Russia. It was hardly a savage threat: such pacts are bureaucratic rather than historic, offering a single legal framework for matters that range from border disputes to squabbles over salami imports. Moreover, Russia cares about a new pca less than the eu does. Two-thirds of its exports to Europe involve gas, oil and minerals, which bring in cash even without strong rules.
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