Top officials from the EU are meeting the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, for a summit in Helsinki. Both sides had hoped to formally open negotiations on a new Stability and Cooperation Pact but Poland has refused to allow the negotiations to open. This report from Jonny Dymond:

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The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, said that both sides would have to sit down and find acceptable solutions. His aides stressed that this is something for EU member states to sort out amongst themselves. And Javier Solana, the EU's foreign policy chief, was keen to play down the difficulties:

JAVIER SOLANA: This is a question that will be resolved. There's no question about that, it's not a big thing. It's a question of import of meat that without any doubt will be resolved. It's not a question of principles, it's not a question of a dramatic situation.

But this is embarrassing for the EU. Normally member states can be brought round with either threats or promises. But Poland wouldn't budge this time and Europe has come to the summit looking a little empty handed. Negotiations on a new pact can of course start later but this is a reminder of how swift Europe is to divide over what its relationship with Russia should be.

Jonny Dymond, BBC News, Helsinki

Listen to the words

doomed to failure
certain to be unsuccessful

to budge
to change its position even slightly

to no avail
with no result, unsuccessfully

acceptable
good enough, satisfactory

to sort out
to deal with and find a solution

was keen to play down the difficulties
wanted to present the difficulties as not very important or serious

brought round
persuaded to change their opinion

looking a little empty handed
not having much to offer

Negotiations
formal talks aimed at reaching an agreement

swift
here, ready, quick

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