The day after the extraordinary Brussels summit, the 27 nations put Russia on notice, signifying that relations with the EU’s powerful neighbour have reached a new day. The Europeans are united and firm, but not bellicose.

Looking back now on the Brussels summit, with the feeling that Europe went a little further than planned in its firmness…and in its ability to present a united front. The union that people said was too economically dependent on oil and Russian natural gas is giving itself the luxury of postponing the famous “privileged partnership” that it has dreamed of signing for two years to better secure its energy needs.

The negotiating session on this accord expected September 15th and 16th has been suspended. Nobody is talking about it anymore as long as the Russians aren’t respecting the six-point peace plan of August 12th, negotiated in the name of the EU by its president, Nicolas Sarkozy. Sarkozy restated that Europe did not want to “flex its muscles,” “replay the Cold War,” or “send ships to the Black Sea,” (a little nudge at the Americans). But they did want to show proof of mastery and firmness. That’s the European Touch, it seems. But the Poles and the British who bared their teeth the most at the beginning of the summit and chatted in the hallways about the dark and uncontrollable Russia, left satisfied. Russia expressed its regret today concerning at the EU’s decision to adjourn the negotiations over a strategic partnership, saying the Russian-European relations shouldn’t be held “hostage” to the differences between Moscow and Brussels.

The 27 nations have agreed to condemn the Russian reaction in Georgia as “disproportionate,” (let’s note that this is not equivalent of a total condemnation of Russian aggression against Georgia), and to firmly condemn the recognition by Moscow of the separatists republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.EU nations are putting Russia on notice, signifying that relations with the EU’s powerful neighbour have reached a new day. Nicolas Sarkozy, flanked by José Manuel Barroso and Javier Solana, are set to travel to Tbilisi and Moscow as soon as Monday September 8th.

They have also sent positive signals to Tbilisi, and promised substantial donations during a donor conference. If Georgia is showered with European money, separatist republics might regret their ties with Moscow and its rubles. The Georgians will also enjoy easier visa applications and might join a free-trade zone. The Europeans want to send the message that there’s something new going on to the East, and that it is of the highest importance.