HELSINKI: Divisions between the 25 European Union nations on how to treat the resurgent giant Russia, highlighted by a Polish veto on formal partnership talks, weakened the bloc's bargaining position at a summit here on Friday, according to analysts and diplomats.

For several EU experts, the Polish move, in retaliation over a Russian embargo of its farm products, shows the clear lack of a unified policy.

“When you want a strong negotiating stance you give your people the tools they need, and that isn't the case here,” one European diplomat said.

Several others criticised Poland, which is gaining a reputation as an awkward colleague since it joined the EU in 2004.

Warsaw neither prepared the ground, sought support from fellow EU members or offered any flexibility in negotiations.

During frantic pre-summit talks on Wednesday and Thursday ambassadors from the 24 other member states urged Warsaw to accept a compromise deal from the Finnish EU presidency.

“They didn't budge an inch,” as one diplomat who attended the meetings put it.

“I don't know if they were just playing hard-ball or if they really don't understand yet what negotiating at these levels is all about”.

This perceived lack of Polish savoir-faire was exacerbated by a defiance towards Russia by the Polish government, led by the brothers Kaczynski (twin brothers Lech and Jaroslaw, who are president and prime minister respectively), which is far from the more nuanced attitude elsewhere in Europe. Especially Berlin and Paris favour direct contacts with Moscow.

A spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana admits that relations with Russia have become “the most complex foreign policy dossier for the EU,” since eight former Communist states joined the European bloc in the “big bang” enlargement of 2004.

Solana himself voiced optimism on Thursday at the EU's capacity to “overcome its differences” and “deepen its relationship” with Moscow.

According to Nicu Popescu, of the Brussels-based Centre of European Policy Studies the Europeans have come a long way over the past year, without yet reaching a common position on Russia.—AFP