Russia claims victory at EU climbdown

MOSCOW (AFP) - Moscow claimed victory Tuesday after EU leaders stepped back from imposing sanctions over Russia's partial occupation of neighbouring Georgia.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who retains huge power after leaving the presidency earlier this year, praised what he called the European Union's "common sense."

Russia will react to a build-up of NATO naval forces in the Black Sea, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin cautioned on Tuesday, quoted by Russian news agencies.

EU leaders decided at an emergency summit in Brussels on Monday to freeze talks on a new strategic EU-Russia accord. But the bloc did not accept proposals by Britain and eastern European nations for harder measures, including sanctions, over Russia's August military offensive in Georgia and recognition of two separatist regions.

"Thank God, common sense prevailed. We saw no extreme conclusions and proposals, and this is very good," Putin said in comments shown on NTV television.

However, Georgia's pro-Western president, Mikheil Saakashvili, pointed to the freezing of EU-Russia partnership talks as proof of Western solidarity behind Georgia.

"Russia failed to break the unity at the heart of Europe," he told France 24 television.